Lakewood Ranch CDDs approve roadshare agreement

Following months of discussion amongst board chairmen, Lakewood Ranch Community Development Districts 2, 5 and 6 all individually approved an interlocal agreement today that would allow the three entities to split costs of shared roads and gate maintenance.

The three CDDs approved an interlocal agreement last year that allowed them to share the costs of two gates that are used by residents from all three districts on Legacy Boulevard and Balmoral Woods Boulevard. In May, the chairmen of the CDDs began discussing the possibility of expanding the agreement to include shared roadways.

The agreement approved today, unanimously across the boards except one dissenting vote, added in Balmoral Woods Boulevard; Legacy Boulevard from University Parkway to Masters Avenue and from Masters Avenue to Arnold Palmer Green; and Arnold Palmer Green from the clubhouse at Legacy to Balmoral.

The agreement will stand for 10 years, however, it does include a clause that allows a CDD to opt out of the agreement if there was a statutory or regulatory circumstances changed.

During agenda review discussions, some CDD6 residents and board members expressed concern about the length of the agreement, with worries that the 10-year time span could hinder progress to improve safety at the Balmoral gate.

“Ten years is a long time, no doubt about that,” said CDD 6 Chairman Jim Rogoze before his board voted. “Whatever direction we go will have no bearing on future growth.”

CDD 6 supervisor Susan Ellis, who voted against approval, said 10 years was too long. She also wished that the process in coming up with the agreement would have included the entire board, instead of the committee of chairmen.

Her concern, which was supported by many residents during a public meeting last week, was that CDD 6 would have to gain approval from the other two entities to make any changes to their roadways, including changes that would make the roads more safe near the Balmoral gate.

“I use Balmoral frequently,” said Steven Peters, CEVA president, during public comment. “I can’t imagine anyone who uses that gate wants to see a deterioration of safety at that gate.

After the agreement was approved, Ellis asked the board to consider for future discussion, closing the Balmoral gate to transponder-only traffic during parts of the day. The measure could help deter maintenance and landscape vehicles, which back up the short space between the gate and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.