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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_11/08/1995 VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 357 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 (407) 575-6200 Fax: (407) 575-6203 VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 8, 1995 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Village Council held a workshop meeting at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Wednesday, November 8, 1995. The meeting was called to order at 5:35 P.M. by Mayor Ron T. Mackail. A roll call was taken by Betty Laur, Recording Secretary. Councilmembers present were: Mayor Ron T. Mackail, Vice Mayor William E. Burckart, Elizabeth A. Schauer, Carl C. Hansen, and Joseph N. Capretta. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Thomas G. Bradford, Village Clerk Joann Manganiello, and Department Heads. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Schauer moved that the Agenda be approved as submitted. Vice Mayor Burckart seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Ron T. Mackail - for William E. Burckart - for Elizabeth A. Schauer - for Carl C. Hansen - for Joseph N. Capretta - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the Agenda was approved as submitted. C uo,,,~~o~ n,,,,or - village Cowacil Norkshop Nesting ~iautes November 8, 1995 Page 2 III. REVIEW OF COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE TASK FORCE CONCLUSIONS/ RECOI~NDATIONS REPORT Mayor Mackail introduced the Task Force members, who were Bill Clifton, Chair Gary Collins, Steve Downey, Mac Goodner, Chuck Hartley, Grace Klimas, Vice Chair Joan Marshall, Dick Neibling, Gene Robbins, and Bill Tracey. Mayor Mackail expressed gratitude for the work done by the Task Force, and stated that they had done a good job of considering traffic impacts throughout the community. Chair Gary Collins stated that the Task Force had tried to stay with the facts and to keep emotion out of their deliberations as much as possible. Chair Collins stated that his presentation at tonight's meeting would adhere strictly to the facts, since facts were what decisions must be based upon, and not everyone would be pleased with any decision made. Mr. Collins explained that before any action could be taken to reduce traffic trips on Country Club Drive, Tequesta Drive, and throughout Tequesta, that statistics from all of the traffic studies which had been made must be studied. Mr. Collins compared the total figures from all of the studies which had previously been done for the Village by various consultants, which had been arrived at independently by Village Manager Bradford, by the Kimley Horn consultant, and by Chair Collins, and had all been very close. Chair Collins explained that when the Section 28 Development with 640 homes, a 27-hole golf course, and one exit north had been added that the traffic impact through Tequesta had increased to 400; and projected over the next 5-7 years that impact was expected to increase traffic trips on Country Club Drive to 10,000 trips per day. Chair Collins explained that this projected impact was without considering the traffic which would be generated by the Abacoa project and by the new university. The university traffic alone was expected to impact out 20 miles. Mr. Collins presented a scrapbook of newspaper articles dating back to 1980 regarding traffic concerns, and concluded that no one wanted traffic in front of their home. ,~ ,.. - village Couacii ~- i4orkehop ~eetiag ~diautes November 8, 1995 Page 3 Chair Collins commented that if one accepted the figures which had been compiled from all of the studies, and the residents' complaints that the present 6,000 trips per day on Country Club Drive were unacceptable, that action must be taken to reduce the anticipated increase in trips, even though they remained under the 10, 900 established in the Comprehensive Plan, and the Task Force had established options which might be utilized in the next two or three years to allow time to see what would happen without taking the final step, which would be to close Country Club Drive. Chair Collins commented on paragraph (6) of the Conclusions/ Recommendations Report regarding the establishment of a Safe Neighborhood District, as had been done by several nearby communities. The Task Force recommended that a Planning Ordinance be passed which would allow someone at a later date to authorize establishment of districts, since a district would be able to do a lot of things that would not otherwise be allowed by DOT, including possibly closing Country Club Drive. The Task Force recommended that a Planning Ordinance be established by January 31, 1996. Chair Collins explained that one of the options considered was to make Country Club Drive one way north from the Turtle Creek entrance to the Martin County line. Kimley Horn had expressed the opinion that the Village could legally exercise this option by Village Ordinance. Chair Collins explained that after driving along Country Club Drive with "Mr. Anonymous", whose idea it had been to make the street one way, the conclusion had been reached that doing so for the entire length would place a burden on too many residents, but that making it one way north from the Turtle Creek entrance would only affect 31-38 homes. This action would take a minimum of 2,000 trips off of Country Club Drive. Chair Collins suggested the Village Council meet with those 31-38 residents to see if they would want that to .happen. Mr. Schwartz of Kimley Horn had also suggested making a portion of Country Club Drive one way. Chair Collins explained that cooperation from Turtle Creek would be necessary to establish a second Turtle Creek Gate just north of Tequesta Village limits on Country Club Drive which ,,`.;.,., could automaticall o en to traffic y p going out and a beeper Village Couacil Norkshog Meeting Miautes November 8, 1995 Page 4 could open the gate for ingoing traffic. Tequesta would request that Turtle Creek sell for possibly $50 per year, beepers to those 31-1$ homes so they could travel the 9/10 mile through the gate and out the other entrance. Chair Collins referred to a chart provided to the Councilmembers which compared the number of miles now traveled to reach various areas with Country Club Drive having two-way traffic with the number of miles which it would take if Country Club Drive were made one way as outlined above. A plus for the 31 homeowners would be that no more delivery or lawn trucks would pass their homes coming from Turtle Creek, since those vehicles would be asked to go around. The big trucks that go daily to the Country Club could be given beepers by Turtle Creek in order to use the gate. The Task Force recommended this action of making a portion of Country Club Drive one way as a starting point to take action. Speed humps were recommended as an option, which Chair Collins explained that they differed from speed bumps since they consisted of a more gradual change in the street profile which raised the pavement 3-4 inches and was at least 12 feet in length along the center line. Chair Collins pointed out that these would be legal, would have less liability than speed bumps, were being used in the State of Florida, and had been effective in Dallas, Texas. In discussion regarding police and fire service, Chair Collins explained that a decision would have to be made weighing the extra seconds needed to travel the area with the speed humps against the benefit of taking the truck traffic aff the road. He reported that one of the policemen had commented that taking these actions should reduce the time the police must spend patrolling the area because of the problems created by the existing traffic, so that the entire Village could be patrolled more efficiently. Chair Collins reported that stop lights would not be feasible because the DOT count was too low, however, under the Safe Neighborhood Act three-way stops had been established on minuscule streets. Roundabouts were considered legal. The legality of paying a toll for the bridge was considered questionable, and the bridge must be replaced in approximately 2010 at a cost of $7 million. `~ Village Couacil Norkshop ffieeting Miautes November 8, 1995 Page 5 Part of the reason for the bridge deterioration was heavy truck traffic over the bridge because Martin County dropped the load limits on their bridges. A possible toll bridge and making Country Club Drive a historical street were considered long-term options. Chair Collins discussed possible closure of Country Club Drive under the Safe Neighborhood Act. Since it had taken three years to accomplish closure of Haverhill Road through Steeplechase, the Task Force had recommended the other options which could be taken sooner. A full-time policeman could be paid for by the Safe Neighborhood District who could stop all the trucks. Chair Collins explained that Category One options were considered deterrents and Category Two options would cut traffic off. The Task Force recommended that the Village never put into writing that they would not close any road in Tequesta. Chair Collins summarized by commenting that if no cooperation was received from Martin County or Turtle Creek then either the process of closing the road must begin or Tequesta must accept that traffic would increase to the point that Tequesta Drive must be made 4 lanes. Chair Collins complimented the Task Force on their work and stated that the Task Force had tried to do what was right for Tequesta. Councilmernber Schauer commented that Martin County had invited her to attend a meeting of their task force on Country Club Drive but she had never been invited again, and questioned whether they had communicated with the Tequesta Task Force. Chair Collins explained they had been contacted to join the Task Force, but did not wish to participate, and information received from a resident of Turtle Creek indicated Martin County had decided they did not need a task force. Councilmember Schauer reported that at the previous week's North County Forum, Commissioner Gettig had favored eliminating street closures from the Implementation Committee's report, however, it was not stricken since ~~~" several nearb munici alities had the same Y p problem that Village Couacil -- Norkshop ~eetiag Miautes November 8, 1995 Page s existed on Country Club Drive. Councilmember Schauer stated she intended to speak with each of the 31-38 homeowners who would be affected by the one-way option. Vice Mayor Burckart commented he considered the one-way option a good idea, and his biggest concern was trying to get Martin County to work with the Village. Vice Mayor Burckart questioned whether the Task Force had arrived at an acceptable traffic figure, to which Chair Collins responded the current 6,000 trips per day was unacceptable, and with the one-way option would immediately be reduced to 4,000, and implementing other options in addition to that would further decrease trips. Vice Mayor Burckart complimented the Task Force on their work. Councilmember Hansen referred to the Task Force report which stated that waiting for cooperation from Jupiter, Martin and Palm Beach Counties had not been a viable option, but recommended that the Village continue to try for their support. Councilmember Hansen referred to the statement that traffic increases would be at a rate of 40-50% over the next 5-7 years, and stated this needed to be addressed to help the whole Village, and that surrounding communities were taking action to minimize traffic in their municipalities. Councilmember Capretta commented that the immediate 2,000 reduction in trips from making a portion of Country Club Drive one way would stay at that reduced level for the next ten years so that the true reduction would be more than 5,000 cars per day by the year 2000. Councilman Capretta pointed out that the regional approach which Tequesta had tried to establish for several years had failed. Councilmember Capretta stated he had been concerned about making all of Country Club Drive one way; however, the one- way section was an improvement, although very dependent upon cooperation from Turtle Creek. If Turtle Creek did not cooperate the plan would have be changed to make the one-way section extend farther north, which could be an incentive for Turtle Creek to cooperate. Chair Collins explained that a median could be placed in the middle of the street, which ~~~ would be another incentive. Chair Collins responded to `, Village Cowacil .. Norkshop Meeting Miautes November 8, 1995 Page 7 Councilmember Capretta that action requested of the Village Council was passage of a Planning Ordinance by January 31, 1996, Discussion ensued regarding the necessity of speed humps in conjunction with the one-way option. Chair Collins explained that would deter truck traffic. Councilmember Capretta suggested a possible implementation plan: (1) Meet with the 31-38 residents affected, (2) Meet with Turtle Creek to discuss gate, (3) Discuss Safe Neighborhood Act with attorneys, (4) Develop Schedule on a Perc Chart Councilmember Capretta commented that Martin County had avoided Tequesta's urging to establish a connector road for 25 years, but had made one by removing stop signs on the main Turtle Creek street causing traffic there to go up to approximately 500 cars per day--which would increase to 1000 if the one-way option were instituted. Councilmember Capretta stated the Task Force plan was very feasible, but cooperation by the 31-38 residents affected and by Turtle Creek was critical. Councilmember Capretta commented that he had been amazed how few of the business people surveyed felt traffic was a significant impact. Vice Chair Marshall commented that the 31 people needed to be made aware of the reduced traffic that would result in the one-way option, since Country Club Drive had become a through road. As a resident of that area, Vice Chair Marshall stated she personally would like to close off Turtle Creek since they were a major impact on the traffic but their residents did nothing but complain about any suggestions made by the Task Force when the Task Force had tried to do everything possible to lessen the impact on Turtle Creek. Councilmember Schauer and Vice Mayor Burckart left the meeting at 6:43 P.M. Mayor Mackail commented that three joint government meetings had been held with Jupiter, Martin County, and Palm Beach County, and nothing had been accomplished, and each wanted "~~;T to do what is right for their neighborhoods. Mayor Mackail village Council >> Norkahop Meeting Minutes November 8, 1995 Page 8 reported that he, Village Manager Bradford, Building Official Ladd, and Mr. Horniman, the Village Consultant for Planning, had driven the roads for three hours to try to analyze the traffic situation and its impact on the Village. Mayor Mackail reported that Jupiter had set up Northfork Drive to be very active, and that all of their communities under development were protected from through traffic except Loxahatchee River Road and Country Club Drive, which is Tequesta's problem. Tequesta's driveways all were on active roads, while in Jupiter's communities they did not. Mayor Mackail stated that Palm Beach County's western corridor should be built prior to Section 28 and Section 33, the Weiser Tract; however, no funding had been available. Mayor Mackail explained that in 1988 Martin County Commission had agreed to place the connector road in their land use plan; and it was still a very viable plan. Mayor Mackail stated that the biggest complainers at Tequesta Council meetings had been Martin County residents, who should be complaining to their own Commissioners. Mayor Mackail stated he had driven the proposed 9/10 mile section through Turtle Creek which had taken one minute 33 seconds. Mayor Mackail explained that the vacancies in the business section were the result of growth around the Village which provided the same type of facilities without traveling to downtown Tequesta. Mayor Mackail expressed his opinion that the Village atmosphere must be maintained and that with the traffic, Jupiter's actions, and the unwillingness of the other municipalities to cooperate that Tequesta must act to protect the best interests of their community. Mayor Mackail suggested that the options presented by the Task Force should be shared with Jupiter, Palm Beach County and with Martin County, and commented that they had not provided the infrastructure for expected growth. Mayor Mackail stated that the outcome of the Section 28 litigation was still unknown, and that Tequesta needed to decide their position. Mayor Mackail expressed concern with growth of Section 28 and Section 33, that he was very concerned with the business district, and agreed with Vice Chair Marshall that the 31 homeowners affected by the one-way option must be made aware of the total picture and its impacts. ~, village Couacil -~.- Norkahop Meetiag Miautes November 8, 1995 Page 9 IV. ANY OTHER MATTERS There were no other matters to be brought before the Village Council. V. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Wade Griest, Dover Road, commented it was obvious from the Task Force report that they had done a lot of hard work. Mr. Griest asked the Council to keep in mind that the cars deterred from Country Club Drive would use other Tequesta streets, and questioned why so much attention was paid to Country Club Drive, with more funds budgeted for it than Tequesta Drive, and urged the Council to consider their decision with all of the Village streets in mind, and to hold a referendum before a final decision was made. Mayor Mackail responded that the Village Council would consider every resident and every area in Tequesta, but that the characteristics of Tequesta Drive and Country Club Drive were entirely different, and a problem did exist on Country Club Drive. Councilmember Capretta commented that the traffic on Tequesta Drive came from Country Club Drive, and the beginning of the problem was the Martin County line; and that reducing traffic on Country Club Drive as discussed earlier would reduce traffic on Tequesta by thousands also. Fred H. Warrington, 364 Country Club Drive, stated he appreciated the work done by the Task Force, however, he was one of the 31-38 residents affected by the one-way option and felt the Village would be penalizing these residents because they were unhappy with Turtle Creek and unhappy with traffic coming down from Martin County. Mr. Warrington commented that 38 taxpayers of Tequesta should not be penalized, but that Country Club Road should be made one way from the County Line. Mr. Warrington explained that he had twice recently had to take his wife to the hospital, but first had to go to another facility for her to be checked before admittance; and if he had to go around, north, through Little Club, down Country Club Drive, and down Seabrook to get to that facility her health would have been ,, endangered. Mr. Warrington stated that the only reason for zoning was to protect the health, welfare and safety of the Village Couacil .,.-.- NorkBhop ~eetiag ~iautes November 8, 1995 Page 10 residents. Mr. Warrington pointed out that only one of the 38 residents was on the Task Force. Mayor Mackail explained that when the Task Force was formed that representation was sought from all areas of the community. Chair Collins stated that one of the first options was to make the last 100 yards of Country Club Drive to the Martin County line one way, and the Task Force had asked the Village Manager to research whether that would be legal. Gerald Carpenter, 368 Country Club Drive, suggested that Turtle Creek be closed off and that they be sold the traffic clickers, not the Tequesta residents. Mr. Carpenter expressed the opinion that the traffic humps would cause flooding, Mr. Carpenter stated his area did not have street lights, that he had complained to Mayor Mackail, and that one was put in. Mr. Carpenter stated that no cooperation was received from Martin County, and Tequesta should take care of their own problems. Chair Collins commented that the closest comparison under the Safe Neighborhood Act had been the closing of Haverhill Road at Steeplechase, which had taken three years, and the Task Force had considered if that were undertaken that lawsuits would be filed which would cause delay. Therefore, the other options had been developed as measures that could be instituted more quickly. Mr. Carpenter stated he would have to leave his county to go around and get back into his Village if the one-way option was instituted as proposed, and that the Turtle Creek residents should be the ones who had to be inconvenienced. Bill Griffin, 350 Country Club Drive, commented that other heavy traffic areas which had been brought up, such as Dallas, Texas, had solved their problems with new and better highways, and that another option was the Connector Road, which would connect Country Club Drive directly to County Line, would only need to be 1/4 mile, and would take traffic off Tequesta, and would only bother 4 people instead of 31. Joseph Hall, 159 Country Club Drive, commented the Martin County people were at the wrong meeting, that at the October Task Force meeting most of the Turtle Creek residents thought they were residents of the Village and did not know they lived in Martin County. Mr. Hall suggested the Martin ' :> Village Council Norkshop Meetiag Mi.autes November $, 1995 Page 11 County residents have a meeting with Martin County Commissioners to try to solve the problem, and stated that their impact fees and taxes were going to Stuart, and the Martin County residents should be disturbed with their own Commissioners and not with Tequesta. Neil Vanderwall, Yacht Club Place, a Realtor, addressed the 31-38 residents north of the Turtle Creek entry and commented that although they might be inconvenienced that their property values would rise between $5,000-$10,000 if they lived on a quieter street. Mr. Vanderwalt stated it was very important that something be done because otherwise more traffic would develop. Mike Meder, 119 Chapel Court, explained that he was "Mr. Anonymous" and it had been his idea to make Country Club Drive one way. Mr. Meder stated his intent had been to see each area share the burden. Bill Clifton, Task Force member, commented that another matter discussed by the Task Force but not mentioned in the report was crime, that Tequesta was relatively crime-free, and at the present time the whole Village could be sealed off with three police cars; however, the Task Force had found that a feeder road through an area would quadruple crime. Councilmember Hansen commented that some solution and that no solution everyone. Councilmember Hansen Council and the residents must solution agreeable to most. VI. ADJOURNMENT the Village must come to would be easy or liked by stated that the Village cooperate to find the The meeting was adjourned at 7:23 P.M. upon motion made by Councilmember Hansen, seconded by Counci.lmember Capretta and unanimously carried. village Council ~- ~iorkshop Meeting Minutes November 8, 1995 Page 12 ------------------------------- Respectfully submitted, ~~ ~ Betty Laur Recording Secretary ATTEST: ADO Jo non Manganie to Village Clerk DATE APPROVED: