Will a citywide slowdown improve roadway traffic and safety?
Holmes Beach may get an answer to that question.
City commissioners voted 3-1 Feb. 8 to approve a resolution establishing a citywide speed limit of 25 mph — effective the week that began Feb. 14 — in an effort to improve traffic safety and better integrate golf carts and low-speed vehicles on city roads.
Commissioner Jayne Christenson voted “no.”
Commissioner Kim Rash was absent with excuse.
There have been several golf cart- and LSV-related traffic accidents in the city over the past year.
A hit-and-run incident May 20, 2021, resulted in surgery for the driver of a golf cart. A July 23, 2021, golf cart rollover resulted in a broken ankle for the driver. And a Nov. 29, 2021, head-on collision left golf cart driver, Anna Maria resident Jana Samuels, hospitalized in critical condition, she remains in the ICU.
Commissioners began discussing changes last August, when they approved a six-month moratorium on new golf cart and LSV rental businesses due to safety concerns.
The moratorium expired Feb. 1 and, while commissioners haven’t explored a continuation or re-issuance, they agreed to test Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer’s and city engineer Sage Kamiya’s proposed speed limit reduction as a means to address the issue.
Tokajer and Kamiya have said reducing the speed limit would eliminate confusion for golf cart and LSV drivers since the vehicles could be driven almost anywhere, as well as improve traffic safety by setting a slower pace.
The change impacts three stretches on Gulf, Marina and Palm drives, where the city speed limit is 35 mph.
Golf carts and LSVs remain prohibited on Manatee Avenue and East Bay Drive — both state roads regulated by the Florida Department of Transportation — where the speed limits are 35 mph.
The DOT has stated in memos to the city that golf carts and LSVs are not permitted to operate on the two state roads, which includes the Anna Maria Island Bridge.
Three people asked commissioners to reject the resolution during public comment.
Resident Aaron Drake said the change could increase the number of golf carts and LSVs on city roads, worsening the problem instead of mitigating it, as well as further slow traffic.
He said the city should improve pedestrian safety, such as adding flashing lights to crosswalks.
Resident Chandler Hardy said golf carts and LSVs are “out of control” on city roads and suggested the city require operators to drive on backroads instead of on main roadways, such as Gulf and Marina drives.
The reception was opposite what the city received during its last discussion on the issue, when eight people spoke in support of the reduced speed limit.
Christenson, who voted against the resolution, said it would penalize residents by costing them travel time and would not address issues caused by the use of golf carts and LSVs in conventional traffic.
Commissioner Terry Schaefer supported the reduction as an experiment. He said rerouting golf cart and LSV traffic off main roads would have benefited some people and negatively impacted others, but reducing the speed limit could improve safety everywhere.
Commission Chair Carol Soustek also supported the resolution, saying the city should test the reduction and adjust if necessary.
“It’s the only thing I see sensible and reasonable enough to do at this time,” Soustek said.
Tokajer told The Islander Feb. 11 that he and city staff had marked all 35-mph signposts for removal or replacement, which would start the week beginning Feb. 14. He said staff also was creating new signage to go on the 25-mph sign posts regarding the citywide speed limit.
The commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The meeting will be open to the public with masks recommended. Directions to attend via Zoom can be found online at holmesbeachfl.org.