City council moves roundabout on to design phase
The Sanibel City Council voted to proceed with the design survey for a proposed roundabout at Periwinkle Way and Causeway Boulevard at its recent meeting, as well as was updated on the sand placement project at the Lighthouse Beach Park.
On Dec. 3, city consultant Kimley-Horn and Associates gave a presentation on the Periwinkle Way and Causeway Boulevard Intersection Study, including its proposed plan and recommended next steps.
The firm was hired to conduct an intersection evaluation and study for Periwinkle, Causeway and Lindgren Boulevard. The scope of work included completing traffic counts, turning movement counts, review of past intersection study recommendations, and an analysis of the causeway and capacity.
According to city staff’s report, the newly collected data — supplemented by the consultant’s review of existing studies and reports related to the same intersection, and feedback received during the public engagement process — were analyzed. The collected information was used to inform the development of two alternative intersection concepts, intended to improve traffic flow at the intersection.
On Nov. 19, Kimley-Horn presented its findings and recommendations to the Sanibel Planning Commission. The commission voted 4-2 to recommend to the council that the study move forward to the next steps. It also voted 6-0 to recommend to the council discussions with Lee County about improvements to the causeway and Punta Rassa Road intersection.
During its presentation before council, Kimley-Horn provided an overview of its study process and recommendation for the proposed roundabout plan. It included alternatives, including additional merge lanes and pedestrian crossings, with an estimated implementation cost of $3.5 million to $5 million.
The firm outlined the following recommended next steps:
– Identify any city processes required to proceed, including Sanibel Charter requirements and city/county interlocal agreement requirements
– Proceed with 30% design survey and updated cost estimate
– Complete 100% design
– Prepare bid documents and solicitation and proceed with construction
During discussion, the council shared its thoughts.
“If we don’t do anything, we’re not doing anything,” Councilmember Holly Smith said, adding that she cannot say yes or no to the project though without all of the facts in place. “For right now, I am in support of going to these next steps and finding out all of the information I need, and our citizens need, to make an informed decision.”
She also voiced support for a voter referendum on the project.
Councilmember John Henshaw felt the need to proceed versus wasting study after study.
“This is only a piece of it, obviously,” he added, pointing to the off-island traffic problems at Punta Rassa and the causeway and need to also address it. “I’m in favor of going with the 30% design.”
“I’m also in favor of going ahead with the 30% design,” Vice Mayor Mike Miller said, explaining that there are questions that have to be answered before a decision can be made on proceeding with the project. “I also think that we have to have some idea of what the cost would be to Sanibel taxpayers.”
“We have to answer those questions before we can make a decision or before we can ask our voters to make a decision,” he added.
Councilmember Laura DeBruce voiced agreement with tackling an issue that has been discussed for decades. She suggested that other methods might also be used in conjunction with the project.
“Taking those next steps to move us forward is probably important. I think we should take that next step through the design,” DeBruce said, adding that she would support additional design measures for the proposed roundabout, such as a metering system discussed by the firm as part of its presentation.
Mayor Richard Johnson said he did not have enough information to make an intelligent decision.
“I also believe that we cannot stop here. That’s what we’ve done in the past,” he said.
“We’re at a point now where we’ve got much more information. It gives me some hope that there may be a partial answer to this traffic problem,” Johnson added. “I, too, support taking that next step.”
During the council’s discussion, City Manager Dana Souza expressed interest in reaching out to the county about a possible study for two off-island lanes at Punta Rassa and engaging with it on that.
The council voted unanimously 5-0 to proceed with the 30% design on the roundabout.
In a second motion, it voted 5-0 to direct Souza and staff to engage with the county on conducting a study of the causeway and Punta Rassa for improvements and to obtain a proposal for the study.
To view the presentation by Kimley-Horn, click on SANIBEL INTERSECTION.
Also at the meeting, Natural Resources Director Holly Milbrandt provided the council with a presentation on the current progress of the sand placement at the Lighthouse Beach Park.
Prior to diving in, she addressed recent comments about beach projects being pointless and costly.
“Certainly, there is no doubt or no question that our beaches were impacted again by the events of this summer with Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton,” she said. “But I can also say that I have no doubt that we would be much worse off without healthy beaches and the robust dunes that we have.”
“With regards to our project specifically, certainly not all was lost with that work. Have the beaches changed? Absolutely. Did sand move? Absolutely,” Milbrandt continued. “In a lot of cases, that sand was moved landward into our existing dune vegetation, where it will continue to help to fortify those dunes as new vegetation grows on top and continues to hold that sand in place.”
“Beach renourishment is never just a one and done situation. We’ve been fortunate here on Sanibel that it’s not something that we’ve had to do that often,” she reported. “Beach renourishment is and continues to be really the most appropriate method to maintain beaches for recreational use for humans, as well as for wildlife use — which is something that this community really highly values.”
She added that the Lighthouse Beach Park is particularly vulnerable and may ultimately require additional hardening or techniques to ensure the future safety of the structure. Milbrandt noted that the city has received a 15-year permit from the state for more periodic renourishments, if necessary.
The city’s 15-year U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit is under final review.
As for the current placement project, phase II has begun and involves an estimated sand volume of 105,000 tons. The first portion will utilize the Gulfside parking lot and is anticipated to be finished by Dec. 20. The second will use the bayside parking lot, with an anticipated completion date of Jan. 10.
IN OTHER NEWS
– The council voted 3-0 to approve a grant agreement for $9,920,000 from the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) for revenue replacement and recovery related to Hurricane Ian.
– The council voted 4-0 to approve agreements with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for public assistance reimbursement grants related to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
– The council voted 4-0 to approve a sub-recipient agreement with Community Housing and Resources (CHR) for funds approved under a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) agreement with the county and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
– The council voted 4-0 to approve a resolution amending the authorization for the placement of temporary signs — the SanCap Chamber’s single banner sign or three temporary signs — on commercial properties authorized through Dec. 6. Temporary signs must be placed on the same premises as the business they are advertising and off-premises signs are prohibited.
– The council voted 3-0 to approve a resolution deferring the installation of landscaping required by the Code related to commercial and institutional uses and residential development along arterial and collector roads for a maximum period of 24 months through Dec. 31, 2026.
– The council voted 4-0 to approve an ordinance amending the Code to delete required conditions relating to vegetated landscape buffers that have been subject to an “administrative stay” since 2014 in regards to the determination of impermeable coverage to update the land development regulations.
– The council voted 5-0 on a resolution appointing Tiffany Burns and Larry Schopp to the planning commission to fill two, three-year terms from Jan. 14 through Jan. 17, 2028. The other applicants were Joyce Arand, Matthew Chesser, Jason Cohen, David Kolson, Richard Roberts and Joshua Stewart.
– City engineer Oisin Dolley and Jordan Varble, with consultant Johnson Engineering, gave a presentation on the City of Sanibel Stormwater Master Plan.
– Building Director and Chief Building Official Craig Mole’ gave a presentation on the Building Department Fee Study.