Some people went to Holmes Beach to air out their frustration with traffic problems since road work began at the city center.
Seven people attended the Nov. 15 Holmes Beach City Commission meeting to express their displeasure with the city center construction and detour.
The project involves adding roadway markings, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, street lighting and landscaping to Marina Drive from the intersection at Gulf and Marina drives to the 5600 block of Marina Drive.
The city hired Sarasota-based C-Squared CGC Inc. to complete the project for $2,753,784.55.
City commissioners also approved two addendums expanding the scope of work:
- $154,649.30 to replace infiltration drenches and a failing stormwater pipe along Gulf Drive;
- $93,027 to replace a failing stormwater pipe that runs through the Island Shopping Center to Marina Drive.
Plenty of work has been completed thus far, including the installation of stormwater pipes, new curbing and new sidewalks.
Since the start of construction, the city has redirected traffic to a four-way stop at the intersection of Gulf Drive and Holmes Boulevard due to the closure of Marina Drive at the intersection with Gulf Drive.
Seven people commented about the matter and a common theme could be heard: They support the project but the detour could be improved.
Anna Maria Commissioner Deanie Sebring expressed her support for the project but said the detour resulted in traffic problems across the island and unsafe conditions for pedestrians.
Sebring urged the city to consider removing the four-way stop in favor of lighted crosswalks to keep traffic moving on Gulf Drive unless a pedestrian needs to cross.
Holmes Beach resident Robin Rouse, a frequent bicycle rider, said she is excited for the improvements included in the city center project.
However, she decried the traffic backups and said the city’s call for patience from those stuck in traffic lacked empathy.
“I don’t think any Holmes Beach resident wouldn’t applaud the work on Marina,” Rouse said. “There are ways around this issue and we want some empathy.”
Holmes Beach resident Susan Martins called the situation frustrating and said the increased traffic on Holmes Boulevard was less safe for pedestrians.
“We just want to walk our dogs safely,” Martins said.
She asked the city to consider stationing a police officer or posting additional signage along Holmes Boulevard to slow traffic.
Commissioner Carol Soustek thanked those who voiced their opinions and said the city would take their comments under advisement.
However, later in the meeting, Police Chief Bill Tokajer said city staff considered a setup like Sebring had proposed but concluded it would not work as efficiently as the current arrangement.
He said removing the four-way stop would keep traffic on Gulf Drive flowing but prevent people on the detour on Holmes Boulevard from making their way through the intersection.
“That will not work,” Tokajer said. “Nobody on Gulf Drive is going to let people go through the traffic. … You can’t detour people to a brick wall.”
Mayor Judy Titsworth said she accepted blame for approving a permit for the Trail of Treats in October, which caused some of the worst traffic congestion since the detour was established.
Nevertheless, Titsworth encouraged islanders to remain patient while construction continued.
“We have looked at this every which way possible,” she said. “There is no way around when you replace the most heavily traveled section in our city.”
In other matters, commissioners also:
- Unanimously voted to adopt an ordinance that allows food trucks to seek written consent from business owners in the city’s C-2 and C-3 commercial zoning districts to operate 7 a.m.-7 p.m. up to two days per week from a businesses’ excess parking spaces or other finished surfaces.
State law prohibits municipalities from banning food truck operations.
- Received new commission liaison appointments from Titsworth;
- Discussed a draft ordinance that would amend the land development code to add a definition for artificial turf and establish regulations for the use of lawn turf.
The commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
Directions to attend the meeting will be available on the city’s website, holmesbeachfl.org.