Resolution 161-2005
Mayor DiIie M. Spehar
RESOLUTION NO. ~-2005
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNlY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNlY, FLORIDA,
BESEECHING THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION TO ELIMINATE MOST IF NOT
ALL OF THE DYNAMIC MESSAGE SIGN
STRUCTURES BY USING ROADSIDE SIGNS WITH
FLASHING LIGHTS TO BE ACTIVATED ONLY AS
NEEDED AND TO REDUCE OVERALL THE SIGNS ON
US HIGHWAY 1 IN THE FLORIDA KEYs.
WHEREAS, the Florida Department Of Transportation, District Six has commenced
installation of an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Project on the "Eighteen-Mile Stretch"
leading into the Florida Keys on US Highway 1; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department Of Transportation, District Six will soon begin
installation of an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Project on the remainder of US
Highway 1 in Monroe County; and
WHEREAS, the County Commission for Monroe County recognizes that the monitoring
of traffic on US Highway 1 throughout the Florida Keys and provision of timely information to
motorists as to traffic delays is a valuable service to both the community and to tourists; and
WHEREAS, the County Commission finds that the overhead sign structures are an
unsightly intrusion on the natural environment and aesthetic features of the Keys; and
WHEREAS, the County Commission finds that the efforts of the County and
municipalities therein to curtail the negative impacts of signage on the scenic vistas of the Keys
would be contravened by the installation of the ITS project as planned; and
WHEREAS, the County Commission finds that overhead messages are likely to generate
inadvertent traffic congestion and possible rear-end collisions as some motorists slow to read the
signs; and
WHEREAS, the County Commission finds from numerous complaints of the residents,
including comments printed in the local newspapers, that the numerous large signs, including
signs with blinking lights, within the fenced area of Big Pine Key are a blight on the natural
scenery; and
WHEREAS, the County Commission finds that there are alternatives to the proposed
plan which can provide the critical traffic messages;
FOOT Signs Res,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY THAT:
1, The Florida Department Of Transportation, District Six, is hereby requested to:
A Consider eliminating most, if not all, of the dynamic message sign structures
in the Florida Keys;
B, Consider using signs on the side of the road with flashing lights which can be
activated when traffic conditions warrant, and which signs direct motorists to tune in to a
certain radio station for the traffic message; and
C, Review all existing FOOT signs on US 1 to determine if any can be eliminated
and thereafter remove such signs from US 1.
2, This Resolution shall become effective upon the date of its adoption herein.
3, The Clerk shall send copies of this Resolution to Representative Ken Sorensen,
Secretary Jose Abreu of the Florida Department Of Transportation (FOOT), FOOT
District Six Secretary John Martinez and Director of Operations Gus Pego, as well as the
FOOT District Six Project Manager Dori Vorce and Traffic Operations Engineer Rory
Santana.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida at a regular meeting of said board held on May 18, 2005,
Mayor Spehar ~
Mayor Pro Tem McCoy Yes
Commissioner Nelson Yes
Commissioner Neugent Yes
Commissioner Rice Yes
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROECOUNTY, FLORIDA
By: ~ >n . L M-t-l 5\'
MA 0 DIXIEM.S~~ ~, :x ;-:.
:;::0(") <- :P'" C)
. or- :-.i.; -<
'fit rt~-" f',) -.,
(")- r a 0
0(") . :;:0
c:::~ :::r.. ".. ___,
:;&. 0 :x ;::::.
.... (") r , ' .
:<....:::c a .:->
. y.. - .0
;:!! (;) eft ;.0
):il' i"1 W -~
FOOT Signs Res.