Council holds off on offering staff direction
After hearing from a handful of residents at its May 1 meeting, the Sanibel City Council directed staffers to bring additional information and options to the table on The Dunes paving project.
Public Works Director Keith Williams provided the council with an update on the upcoming project and requested direction on the resurfacing of the street system in The Dunes neighborhood, specifically whether to keep or remove four modular speed bumps or replace them with permanent speed bumps.
He explained that the city first reduced the speed limit in the area, then installed the traffic calming devices on the north and south loops of Sand Castle Drive two speed bumps on each segment.
Williams reported that as a result, speeds in the area dropped from 26 mph to about 20 mph.
Several residents spoke during public comment, both for and against the speed bumps.
“A lot of what we’re experiencing in The Dunes is exacerbated by the overall traffic issues on Sanibel,” Bob Lindman said, explaining that they are used as cut-through to avoid traffic on Periwinkle Way.
He said a majority of people are concerned about speed and are happy with the devices.
“I think most of The Dunes’ residents feel comfortable with what has happened,” Lindman said. “If nothing else, it’s a reminder to slow up and I think it’s done its job.”
He suggested additional speed bumps and implementing a no passing zone in the neighborhood.
“There are a couple of people who are complaining because of the noise,” Lindman said.
One of them was Tommy Williams, who suggested that the calming devices be placed in front of the homes of people who want them. He also noted that no formal poll was taken in the neighborhood.
“The speeds bumps are a nuisance to me,” Williams said. “This is an endless noise that never stops.”
Terry Finzen cited high traffic volume, speeding and aggressive driving as the area’s problems.
“We see drivers speeding every day in both directions and not just in season,” he said, adding that many of the motorists are also tailgating. “Many of the drivers we see are driving aggressive.”
“Our neighborhood is not a Periwinkle (Way) bypass,” Finzen added.
He voiced support for the speed bumps, including additional ones, a no passing zone within the neighborhood and more of a police presence. Finzen added that a petition in favor of the devices was turned in with 70 signatures, and he called the cost and nuisance “worth the positive outcomes.”
“We’d like to see all the options explored,” he said.
Roy Brodersen explained that he lives approximately 100 feet from one of the speed bumps. He acknowledged that they have reduced speeds, but he does not like their appearance nor noise.
“I believe the question is, how can we reduce the flow of traffic through The Dunes and remove the speed humps at the same time?” Brodersen asked, suggesting setting up no turns during certain hours.
“There has to be some way possibly to look at this in a creative way,” he said.
Another resident voiced support for the speed bumps, citing concern for her grandchildren’s safety when they play outside. One resident explained that he has lived on both the north and south loops of Sand Castle, noting that the segments are different. He also voiced support for the calming devices.
One man pointed out that there are more than 370 residences that make up The Dunes.
“So whatever you do there affects a lot of people,” he said.
A biker and walker, he said it is only a problem in-season for a few hours in the afternoon.
“I’ve lived there 21 years and we did quite fine before we had them,” he added.
Others voiced support for eliminating the left hand turn onto Periwinkle.
Public Works Director Keith Williams explained that doing so would not only cut access for those trying to use the neighborhood as a pass-through, but for those residing within The Dunes.
He noted that the staff recommendation is to stick with the four modular speed bumps.
“Someone’s certainly not going to be happy with the results,” Mayor Kevin Ruane said in reference to the hundreds of homes in the neighborhood. “But our job is public safety.”
Noting the lack of a strong public consensus on what was preferred, the dais held a brief discussion about where it stood. Opinions wavered, with no one member fully opposed to the speed bumps.
“I just don’t hear any consensus here from council right now to make a decision today,” Ruane said.
In an unanimous 5-0 vote, the council directed city staffers to return at the June meeting with the additional information, including the project’s history, the costs associated with the calming devices, options for reducing the speed limit or relocating the bumps, possible additional signage and such.
Council also asked to be supplied with any related resident correspondences, like the petition.
“We’re just trying to have more information, so we can give you the necessary guidance,” Ruane told Williams.