P&Z pulls forward with traffic talks

Is Gulf of Mexico Drive really that important?

Longboaters probably think so.

And so do Planning & Zoning Board members.

“It’s the only way on and off the island,” said P&Z Board Chairwoman B.J. Webb at the board’s special meeting Aug. 16.

A Florida growth-management bill that became effective June 2 directs state agencies “to help communities find creative solutions to foster vibrant communities and protect important state resources and facilities.”

That’s why one of the policies suggested by P&Z staff in a draft of Comprehensive Plan amendments included Policy 1.1.5:

“ … the town considers Gulf of Mexico Drive/State Road 789 an important state transportation facility and shall monitor its function and operation as well as safety within and along its corridor.”

The policy was one of approximately two-dozen suggested within five objectives laid out in the transportation element of a draft of proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments based on direction provided by the P&Z Board in July.

Another policy suggested by staff included an amendment that would require all development that resulted in increased development densities or intensities and all development-order applications anticipated to generate 50 or more peak-hour trips to submit a traffic-context study, assess the impact to Gulf of Mexico Drive and evaluate the site to enhance alternative modes of transportation.

Also proposed by staff was the possibility of the town participating in Sarasota and Manatee county’s Road Impact Fee programs.

Although some members questioned the statement in one objective stating that “the town recognizes that the congestion along Gulf of Mexico Drive/State Road 789 may worsen due to infill development, redevelopment and growth, which occur both within the town and adjacent jurisdictions.”

Some board members contended that the Comprehensive Plan shouldn’t contain an acknowledgement that traffic could worsen, while others felt that Gulf of Mexico Drive congestion is relatively minor.

The board will continue to discuss transportation issues in September.

Roadmap
The Planning, Zoning and Building Department suggested the following five basic objectives for the transportation element of proposed amendments to the town’s Comprehensive Plan:

• Develop a multimodal transportation system that provides safe, efficient movement through walking, cycling and transit service while also improving traffic flow on public roads.

• Recognize that congestion along Gulf of Mexico Drive “may worsen due to infill development, redevelopment and growth, which occur both within the town and in adjacent jurisdictions” and work with appropriate governments for future improvements and to maintain safety and traffic flow.

• Coordinate with adjacent local governments about the impacts of projects proposed or approved.

• Require future development (except for transportation facilities) to bear a proportionate cost of facility improvements necessitated by the development in order to maintain adopted level-of-service standards.

• Manage fiscal and financial resources to fund the implementation of the five-year schedule of capital improvements and to ensure the provision of needed capital improvements.