Resolution 305-1992
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Commissioner A. Earl Cheal
'92.
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RESOLUTION NO. 305-1992
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A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
IN SUPPORT OF IMPROVED SAFETY ON U.S. #1
AT THE WEST END OF MARATHON BY THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
WHEREAS, citizens desire to have safety improved for U.S. 1
in Marathon between 37th Street and the Seven Mile Bridge,
hereafter referred to as the "highway", and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Transportation (FOOT)
previously proposed a design for widening and improving the
highway which would have caused severe impacts on adjacent
business owners and in November 1990, the Board of County
Commissioners voted to request FDOT transfer the funding from
the highway to another location, and
WHEREAS, there has been property disputes between many
adjacent property owners and FOOT regarding ownership. Court
cases have resulted in resolution in favor of the property owners
thereby reducing the land available for highway widening. Other
related cases are pending, and
WHEREAS, due to the present condition of the highway, FDOT
has scheduled resurfacing to be completed in FY 1993, and
WHEREAS, as shown in the Monroe County Year 2010
Comprehensive Plan Technical Document, Final Draft, the level of
service for the highway is "A"; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Stormont analyzed FOOT traffic
accident data for the highway compared to improved portions of
U.S. #1 in other sections of Marathon. His conclusions showed
the highway to be no more dangerous than improved sections of
U.S. #1 in Marathon; and
WHEREAS, FOOT analyzed traffic accident data for the
highway and concluded that the highway was not as safe as
improved sections of U.S. #1 in Marathon; and
WHEREAS, leaders of two citizens' groups, Citizens for A
Safe Highway and Marathon Olde Towne Merchants Association
met and agreed that the existing highway could be made safer by
the use of a variety of traffic control devices and enforcement
of speed limits. The groups recognized a need for
beautification, improvements to the bike path and improved street
lighting. They further agreed that if traffic engineers, both
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FDOT and independent firms, indicate that improvements on the
West end of Marathon are necessary for safety reasons then
improvements should be done in a manner which has the least
impact on the businesses in that area; and
WHEREAS, FOOT will not program funding for highway
expansion improvements until the Comprehensive Plan is found to
be in compliance by the Department of Community Affairs, and
WHEREAS, the Citizens for a Safe Highway has accumulated
several hundred names on petitions supporting improvements to the
highway including a turning lane; and
WHEREAS, the Olde Towne Merchants Association has
opposed FDOT designs which would reduce business parking,
restrict access to businesses and take land which the courts have
now ruled was not owned by FOOT; NOW THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA THAT:
The Board of County Commissioners support the improved
safety on the highway and
The Florida Department of Transportation is requested to:
1. Implement the Five Year Plan to resurface the highway
during Fiscal Year 1993.
2. Consider various types of traffic control devices that
could be put in place to improve safety.
3. Improve bike paths.
4. Improve street lighting.
5. After the Comprehensive Plan has been found to be in
compliance and the legal challenges between adjacent property
owners and FOOT are resolved, assist this Board to address
various highway improvements that may further increase safety.
6. Reduce the speed limit at the West end of Marathon.
The Monroe County Sheriff and Florida Highway Patrol (FHP)
are requested to enforce the speed limits.
A copy of this resolution shall be furnished to FDOT
District Secretary Stan Cann, Sheriff Rick Roth, FHP Lt.
William Bass, Representative Ron Saunders and Senator Larry
Plummer.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held
on the 10th day of June ,A.D., 1992.
Mayor Harvey Yes
Commissioner London Yes
Commissioner Cheal Ye5
Commissioner Jones Ye~
Commissioner Stormont Yes
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By
MAYOR/CHAIRMAN
(SEAL)
BY:
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