A
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AND
THE CITIES OF CLERMONT, GROVELAND, MINNEOLA, AND MONTVERDE
MARCH
14, 2007
The
Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in a special joint meeting with the
Cities of Clermont, Groveland, Minneola and Montverde on Wednesday, March 14,
2007, at 6:30 p.m., in the Community Room, Lake-Sumter
Community College, South Lake Campus, Clermont, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were:
Welton G. Cadwell, Chairman; Debbie Stivender; Jennifer Hill; Elaine Renick;
and Linda Stewart. Others present were: Sanford A. (Sandy) Minkoff, County Attorney; Cindy Hall,
County Manager; Wendy Taylor, Executive Office Manager, County Manager’s
Office; County Staff; Representatives from the Cities of Clermont, Groveland,
Minneola, and Montverde; and Sandra Carter, Deputy Clerk.
INTRODUCTION
AND AREA MAP OF VARIOUS STUDIES
Commr.
Cadwell informed those present that presentations would be given by the County’s
consultants regarding various road projects in the south Lake County
area, at which time the consultants and county staff will make themselves
available to those present, to answer any questions there might be about the
proposed projects. At this time, he had
those individuals on the panel introduce themselves and it was pointed out that
maps of the various studies were on display around the room.
OVERVIEW
OF AREA ROAD
PROJECTS
Mr.
Jim Stivender, Jr., Public Works Director, addressed the panel stating that
there is a request on the Agenda for the April 3, 2007 Board Meeting for
approval to award the Johns Lake Road/Hancock Road Intersection Project. He discussed road projects and developments
that currently exist in the south Lake County area, at which time he displayed
a map, noting that the roads shown in green are programmed and funded for
construction, however, those shown in yellow are programmed and funded and the
County has a network plan to address the traffic patterns that exist and are moving
forward with either a design project or rights of way acquisition, but there
are no construction dollars to deal with them at this time. He stated that those roads shown in blue are
more of a “wish list”, noting that they are not programmed, but are just lines
on a map that the County has been talking about. He reviewed the status of various road
projects in the south Lake
County area, ongoing and
proposed, at which time he noted that some of them will blend together, as
development occurs. He stated that staff
is looking at obtaining direction from all the elected officials, noting that
it is going to take everyone present to put some type of program together, to
make the transportation network work.
PRESENTATION
OF FDOT PROJECTS ON SR 50 AND US 27
Mr.
T. J. Fish, Executive Director, Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization
(LSMPO), addressed the panel and summarized what is currently happening, in
terms of funding projects on SR 50 and US 27, at which time he reviewed some
graphics contained in the panel’s backup material, noting that some portions of
the projects are funded for construction, but some are not. He stated that, while the County is still
trying to get funding for some much needed widening on both of those roads,
from four lanes to six lanes, along SR 50 a lot of that six lane capacity is
already being used, thus the reason the current four lanes are so
congested. He stated that it is going to
be at least a year before that portion of SR 50 that is funded, which is the
four lane portion from the Turnpike to Hancock Road, is widened to six lanes
and there is no guarantee that the unfunded portion, from Hancock Road to US
27, is going to be widened, until the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT) takes action to put money for that construction into their work
program. He noted that the project does
not include the interchange itself, which is projected to be in the $60 million
range. He stated that the good news is
that it is going to be the Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization’s
(LSMPO) trip proposal for this year, which is a 50/50 match, and, rather than
using taxpayer dollars, they are going to propose to use the developer’s
contribution from Plaza Collina as the County’s local match. He stated that they are optimistic that FDOT
will respond and perhaps fund it for sometime between 2011 and 2013.
Mr.
Fish stated that, with regard to US 27, FDOT started widening it from four
lanes to six lanes in the Minneola area, but that is the only project in the
area that is actually funded for construction – everything else that FDOT is
putting construction dollars into is from the Polk County line north. He stated that the portion that is unfunded
is from Boggy Marsh Road to the interchange, which involves some major expenses,
noting that they are looking at the cost being $22 to $25 million per mile, up
from $13 to $15 million per mile just three years ago, so as long as the County
has unfunded projects out there, it is very important that it not count on SR
50 being expanded, because the money is not there yet.
AREA
TRANSPORTATION STUDY – CITY OF MINNEOLA
Mr.
Kent Black, Officer in Charge and Vice President, HNTB Corporation, addressed
the panel, stating that he was a consultant for the City of Minneola, and, in terms of the study, they
are just about at the point where they are going to start it, noting that they
are still getting contracts signed. He
stated that Mr. Stivender had mentioned a number of area wide projects, at
which time he noted that, with regard to this particular project, South Hancock
Road is currently being designed and, from Lake Louisa Road on US 27, there
will be an extension of South Hancock Road that will come up to Hartwood Marsh
Road and continue on the alignment of Hancock Road that exist today up to North
Hancock Road, which terminates at Old SR 50.
He stated that the Minneola Collector Project Development and
Environmental (PD&E) Study project begins in the area of Old SR 50, near
where North Hancock Road
terminates today and extends north towards the Turnpike. He noted that the next presentation will be a
discussion of the potential new interchange at the Turnpike and the corridor
study then extends towards the west, where it terminates at US 27. He gave a brief overview of the PD&E
study process, noting that it is a process that looks at the engineering
conceptual needs of the corridor and also at the environmental evaluation of
the corridor that they are looking to add the roadway into. He stated that the backbone of the study is
public involvement, at which time he noted that they are looking at an April 1st
kickoff for the study and anticipate an approximate 12 month schedule, during
which they will be having extensive public involvement and will be working with
the large land owners along the corridor, as they develop what the alignment is
and try to avoid any environmentally sensitive or residentially sensitive
areas.
Mr.
Black stated that there is a need for the extended corridor, due to the
tremendous growth in the area; the need for additional roadway capacity for the
amount of development that has been approved, or is in the process of being
approved; a substandard roadway system in the area; the potential of the
Turnpike interchange requires that there be some local and regional infrastructure
in place, to support that improvement; traffic safety issues that need to be
addressed at a number of intersections; connectivity opportunities for the
local trail system, expanding it; and coordination with surrounding developers
in the area. He stated that another need
for the corridor stems from an increase in the volume of traffic projected for
the area, with some key locations being Turkey Farm Road at CR 50; N. Grassy
Lake Road, near US 27; and US 27. He
stated that they have projected out to 2020 and see about a 95% increase in the
traffic volume for said areas. He noted
that they would be further developing their traffic analysis, as they begin the
study. He discussed some existing
corridor characteristics, such as unpaved and paved roadway sections throughout
the corridor, and they will be evaluating the viability of the existing
corridors and be looking at the appropriate locations to establish the
alignment and connections to the proposed development areas. He stated that there are a lot of
subdivisions that have been approved and a number that have been proposed. He stated that, with regard to public
involvement, they will have a live website, where they will be able to
communicate findings and information and post documents for people to review;
they will have a number of newsletters, particularly in advance of public
meetings, of which they anticipate holding four – a kickoff meeting, one to
discuss alternatives, one to discuss a preferred alternative, and one where
they will take formal input and testimony regarding the recommendations of the
study. He stated that, throughout the
public involvement program, they are going to partner with the City of Minneola and hold a
number of workshops, where they will work with the City to develop the
appropriate solutions for the corridor.
He stated that they anticipate engaging a project advisory group to
include the City of Minneola, the County, the
City of Clermont, land owners and developers
along the corridor, Florida’s
Turnpike enterprise, the Lake-Sumter MPO, homeowners associations, and FDOT
District 5 representatives. He stated
that they want to develop a consensus along the corridor that meets the needs
of the various entities, so they want everybody to be involved in the decision
making process. He stated that some
conceptual design issues that they are going to have to look at, in developing
their recommendations for the width of the right of way, are what a typical
section of the roadway is anticipated to look like, and where it is physically
placed along the corridor. He stated
that they will be looking at horizontal and vertical alignment issues;
pedestrian features and expanding the County’s trail system; future land
development; right of way needs; connectivity to the Florida Turnpike
interchange; the northeast corridor; US 27 tie-in; utility coordination; and
opportunities to improve aesthetics.
HILLS OF
MINNEOLA ROADWAYS AND TURNPIKE EXCHANGE – CITY OF
MINNEOLA
Ms.
Karen Campblin, Community Involvement Coordinator/Planner and Project Manager
for the Minneola Interchange at Florida’s Turnpike, Glatting Jackson Kercher
Anglin, addressed the Board and provided a brief overview of the Turnpike
Interchange project, at which time she gave a slide presentation, showing the
existing regional access, noting that the roadway currently consists of two
two-lane rural collector roads in the area, which are disjointed, which
prevents easy access to the Turnpike, to go either north on US 27, or to head
south towards the Orlando area, on SR 50.
She stated that they are proposing a future regional access with the
interchange, which has been identified as a viable solution to the regional
transportation deficiency in the area, through Florida’s
Turnpike study, as well as a study conducted by Lake County,
as part of the LSMPO Long Range Transportation Plan. She stated that, in addition, there is an
effort between all the surrounding municipalities and counties to work with
developers, in order to develop a more comprehensive regional network system in
this area, while trying to retain the rural and unique characteristics of the
area. She reviewed a graphic, showing a
comparison between what is currently in the area and what to expect tomorrow,
noting that it illustrates the existing land uses, which is agricultural land
uses to the north, low density residential to the south, and retail and
commercial lining US 27 and SR 50, however, noted that, in the future, with all
the proposed and approved developments in the area, they feel that within the
next five to ten years there is going to be approximately 930,000 sq. ft. of
commercial/retail being introduced to the area, over 2,000,000 sq. ft. of
office, over 1,400,000 sq. ft. of light industrial, and over 13,000 residential
units (equal to the size of a new town).
She stated that the purpose of the proposed interchange is to address an
existing regional access problem, noting that US 27 and SR 50 are currently
over-congested and studies have shown that the interchange will help the
traffic problems in the area. She stated
that, without the interchange, US. 27 and SR 50 has been identified to fail, so
the interchange would help to delay, if not remove, a need to widen some of the
existing roads and maybe even delay the need to create some new alignments.
Mr.
Shawn Ferguson, Transportation Planner, Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin,
addressed the panel and discussed the Hills of Minneola Development of Regional
Impact (DRI) Conceptual Plan, a DRI in the City of Minneola that consists of 1,832 acres spanning
the Turnpike, which has been approved for development. He stated that the interchange, which is
centrally located, is mid-way between the existing interchange at SR 50 and US
27. He stated that the internal road
network was designed to provide the maximum access and connectivity to the
adjacent areas to the north, west, south, and southeast, consistent with the
County’s Tindale Oliver study that was completed a few years prior, as well as
with the City’s vision plan. He stated
that the land uses approved include industrial, office, retail, hotel, and
movie theatre, with an employment center that is focused at taking advantage of
the interchange location. He stated that
there are also residential neighborhoods, sites for schools, parks – including
community and neighborhood parks, and a 283 acre upland preserve, which runs
along the eastern boundary of the property.
He stated that there are some important ecological connections, as well. He stated that part of the non-residential
uses in that component of the project will be developed as a main street or
village center, which will have both non-residential and residential uses. He briefly discussed a roadway connectivity
that runs south to the Hancock
Road extension, which is the location of the proposed
interchange, and a roadway that runs north and south through the property, as
well as the fact that there are important opportunities for east/west
connectivity in these locations. He
stated that there are important trail connections that were planned, as part of
the project, noting that there is a full trail system that has been provided,
with on and off road trails, including two locations where there will be
underpasses for trails to go under the Turnpike, and a trail head equestrian
rest area will be provided along CR 561A.
He then answered questions from the panel, at which time it was noted
that the following developments have already been approved for the area in
question:
The
Hills of Minneola
3,971
Residential Units
610,000 Sq. Ft.
Commercial/Retail
850,000 Sq. Ft.
Office
1,400,000 Sq.
Ft. Industrial
300 Hotel Rooms
Sugarloaf
2,259 Single
Family Units
175 Multi
Family Units
120,000 Sq Ft.
Commercial/Retail
Founders
Ridge
723 Single
Family Units
240 Multi
Family Units
Reserve
at Minneola
689 Single
Family Units
Black
West
650 Single
Family Units
681 Multi
Family Units
200,000 Retail
Verde
Ridge
402 Single
Family Units
Plaza
Collina
200 Multi
Family Units
1,200,000 Sq.
Ft. Commercial
Bella
Collina
698 Single
Family Units
200 Multi Family
Units
SUGARLOAF
TRANSPORTATION STUDY – GMB ENGINEERS AND PLANNERS,
INC.
Mr.
Dave Mihalic, Transportation Consultant, GMB Engineers and Planners, Inc.,
addressed the panel and discussed the Sugarloaf Mountain DRI project, which is located
in the northern portion of unincorporated Lake County
and dates back to 1994. It is a three
phase project, with a total build out date of 2015. The first phase has been approved for 660
units and approximately 3,500 sq. ft. of commercial. At total build out, there will be
approximately 2,300 residential units and 120,000 sq. ft. of
commercial/retail. He stated that, as
they have gone through the process, they have not modified their access points
from the original plan, but have maintained consistent access points
throughout, which include connections to both CR 455 and Sugarloaf Mountain Road. He stated that, in the planning horizons,
they recognize that it is important and have been coordinating with the County,
in terms of the visioning process in the area, and recognize that they need to
integrate the Lake County Vision Plan, but also need to consider, as the Hills
of Minneola has come in with the interchange, what the implications to the DRI
are with that and, as part of the future process, will include that into their
analysis and the widening limitations, noting that there are obviously some
constraints, particularly with CR 455 and the Scenic Highway. He stated that, being the development is a
DRI, it requires communication and coordination between the County, the State,
the Cities that are impacted and adjacent property owners, at which time he
noted that there have been numerous meetings with the Hills of Minneola,
regarding coordination between the two properties. He stated that they conducted some
preliminary technical analysis and came to the conclusion that there are two
probable corridors that they need to do, the first being to see about
supporting the connection to the southern Turnpike and the second to provide a
reliever road to CR 561, whether it is Sugarloaf Mountain Road, or another
east/west roadway connecting to CR 561.
He stated that, since CR 455 is designated as a scenic highway, there
are certain guidelines and restrictions that they are required to adhere to,
which they have paid close attention to, noting that, rather than just widening
the road and providing turn lanes, they have worked with county staff, to try
to make it more of an amenable facility for bicycles and pedestrians, while
maintaining the overall integrity of what they envision a scenic highway to
be. He stated that their overall
proposed recommendations are that they are intent to try to keep a two lane
roadway, without going into widening CR 455 and changing the designation,
looking at other two lane roadways, or a series of two lane roadways; traffic
circles on CR 455; promote and accommodate multi-modal traffic; maintain the CR
455 viewshed; and develop the trail network.
WOODLANDS
CAMP GROUND
– TOWN OF MONTVERDE
Mr.
Wayne Nichols, Town Clerk, Town of Montverde, addressed the panel, on behalf of
the Mayor, who was unable to attend this meeting, stating that the Town of
Montverde was just starting their PD&E Study and one of the things they
were looking at is some alternate methods of moving some of the traffic off of
CR 455 from all the new developments and one of the ideas that was passed
around is to look at the Woodlands Camp Ground property that is for sale, which
would give an east/west almost direct line to meet up with some of the roads,
using the existing underpass at Blackstill Lake Road. He stated that it is only a conceptual plan
for the Town at the present time, noting that they are looking to see what
everybody else’s input is, to help that out.
He stated that they will be able to have the bike trail connection
moved, with their ultimate goal being to have a Montverde loop for the bike
trail, which would give them the southern boundary for it, which would be a
good start, along with purchasing the Woodlands property, or getting it donated.
He stated that the property has multiple
meeting facilities, some rental units, some park facilities, physical fitness
equipment, and their own water/wastewater system, among many other positives,
however, noted that there are some extensive wetlands on the property, so, if
it were to be developed, it would be a disaster.
It
was noted that the recommendation was only conceptual – that the Public Lands
Acquisition Advisory Committee has not yet been approached about the matter.
Commr.
Stivender interjected that she has been in contact with the owners of the camp
ground and the asking price for the property is $18 million, otherwise, it goes
back to being a camp ground and will not be developed.
Commr.
Cadwell suggested that it be taken to the Public Lands Acquisition Advisory
Committee first and, if there is some value to it, the Board can look at it
from a Public Works standpoint, to see if it makes any sense on the other side.
At
this time, a brief question and answer period occurred between the Board and some
of the municipalities, with regard to the issues addressed this date.
ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the
meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
_________________________________
WELTON G. CADWELL, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
__________________________
JAMES C. WATKINS,
CLERK