A
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF
AND
THE CITIES OF CLERMONT, GROVELAND, MINNEOLA, AND MONTVERDE
MARCH
14, 2007
The
Lake County Board of
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
OVERVIEW
OF
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
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
Mr.
Kent Black, Officer in Charge and Vice President, HNTB Corporation, addressed
the panel, stating that he was a consultant for the City of
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
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
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
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
WOODLANDS
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