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09-22-1987 Public HearingPUBLIC HEARING MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 22, 1987 The Public Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, 1987 commenced at 7:05 p.m. at the Community Center to discuss the traffic problem as related to the redesigning of the entrance to the Country Club. The following members were present: Also present Mayor Spero Canton Stephen Loffredo Robert S. Butler, Jr. Karen Kirby Marty Stoflk Elly F. Johnson, Jr., Village Manager William Yates for William F. Fann, Jr., Village Attorney Mayor Canton read a letter addressed to Mrs. Kirby from Fred Blackwell, former Chairman of the Country Club Advisory Board. Mr. Blackwell requested his letter be read before the Council and the Council reconsider its current proposal for rerouting of traffic. That proposal being to route Incoming traffic to the Club through a guard house gate located at 99th Street. Outgoing traffic would be routed through a 100th Street exit gate. Current Biscayne Blvd. exits and entrances would be closed by a locked gate to be used In the event of a large Club activity or emergency. William Shroeder, 910 N.E. 99th Street, stated he was a spokesman for the group representing residents on 99th, 100th and 10th Avenue. He and Bob Wallace, 970 N.E. 100th Street, proposed going ahead with construction of the fence as planned but leave the current exits and entrances open for a period of time to adequately assess additional traffic Impact. Bob Swan, 70 N.E. 98th Street, questioned the $115,000 expense for the construction and concern for security at the Club. He felt the same concern should be demonstrated for security throughout the Village. Dr. Butler explained the Council has vigorously worked to Improve the Police Department and Mrs. Stofik stated construction funds came from the Country Club budget. Mrs. Kirby made a motion to continue erecting the fence, to leave entrances open and to not proceed with the guard house installation until more Information was received. Mr. Loffredo seconded the motion. Mr. Johnson suggested establishing a specific time for study. He stated traffic counters would be placed at all the entrances. Mrs. Stoflk questioned the value of this informa- tion as a factor in deciding where the gates would be placed. Dave Perrin, 899 N.E. 99th Street, stated fence and gates were necessary. He suggested automobile decals for Club members and contact with the federal government to evaluate U.S. Hwy. *1 traffic before gates were closed. Carlotta De Lucia, 913 N.E. 98th Street, felt residents should have been Informed of action to be taken and should have been asked for Input. She also suggested using the land north of the Club for entrance and stacking overflow cars. Abe Zlghelboim, 990 N.E. 100th Street, stated traffic plan was against simple architectural principles. He felt a security expert as well as a traffic expert should be con- sulted. Dr. Delores Simon, 866 N.E. 99th Street, wants no additional traffic In neighborhood and recommended limited access for only residents. Joel Aresty, 930 N.E. 99th Street, recommended opening Biscayne Blvd. to appease most of the residents. Thomas F. Jennings, 921 N.E. 99th Street, recommended keeping Biscayne Blvd. exits and entrances open and closing all others. Edward Swan, 1099 N.E. 99th Street, Is concerned that Biscayne Blvd. will be a locked gate and the misinformation on the location of the traffic signal Tight from the front of the Club to 99th Street. He recommended having guards ride golf carts through the parking lot and putting enough money Into Club parties to pay for extra security. Judy Robinson, 999 N.E. 99th Street, asked why Biscayne Blvd. couldn't be an exit and entrance and recommended hiring an off-duty police officer for big events. Mrs. Kirby explained decals are not practical as the pool is open to all residents and some traffic Into the Club Is from non-members attending meetings and luncheons. The use of Biscayne Blvd. as only an entrance and exit would mean that most resident, who live south of the Club, would have to crossover the Blvd. to enter. Dr. Butler stated more hazards would exist coming Into and out of the Blvd. and that speeders are not driving to and from the Club but are shortcutting. He stated that the proposed motion would not solve the Club's security problems. Mayor Canton Introduced Jack Ahlstedt, resident and traffic planner, who has made a preliminary study of the traffic. Mr. Ahlstedt stated he was researching traffic patterns at the Club and throughout the Village. Ed Haynes, 815 N.E. 99th Street feels there Is more Interest in the Club than in residents. Dr. Scott Alien, 1119 N.E. 99th Street, thinks all ramifications of traffic Impact have not been considered. Virginia Johnson, 824 N.E. 99th Street, stated trees and fences would prevent some degree of crime and wants to study this Impact before continuing with the gates. Jane Breakstone, 9909 Biscayne Blvd., questioned the backup of traffic caused by a locked gate. Karen Wallace, 970 N.E. 100th Street, feels a more extensive traffic study Is needed than the preliminary one done by Mr. Ahlstedt. Fred Massie, 836 N.E. 100th Street, stated his opposition to having a traffic gate on 99th Street. Al Little, 1030 N.E. 99th Street, questioned the fund source for these monies. Roland Johnson, 755 N.E. 97th Street, encouraged the Council to vote for the motion. He feels that the curb cut Is valuable and entrance and exits should be on the Blvd. Bedford Price, 920 N.E. 100th Street, approved of fence and landscaping. He suggests having an evaluation and advising residents about the next meeting. He asked If the Club Manager had provided any Input. Mrs. Kirby stated the only exit and entrance should not be on 99th Street. Dr. Butler stated he would consider modifications to the plan to minimize the traffic on 99th Street. He would con- sider delaying the continuing of the protect until a 30 day traffic study Is done. He does not want to neutralize the original concept for security. David Robinson, 999 N.E. 99th Street, wants a 30 day prospective study with traffic markers. William Raup, 824 N.E. 100th Street, requested a clari- fication of which gates would be open. Mayor Canton stated further traffic study would only delay the situation and feels that the Council has been pro- vided with the traffic flow. Jane Allen, 1119 N.E. 99th Street, recommended using the times that crimes are committed as a consideration for the traffic flow. Mrs. Stofik stated that the proposal did not create any new exits or entrances. She stated that fence will not address the security issue which Is controlling access as the major problem has been with crimes In cars. She does not consider the entrance at 99th Street as a problem and would consider a 30 day evaluation. She recommended leaving the entrance at 99th Street and the exit on 100th Street but adding a trip gate on Biscayne Blvd. for exits only. She noted that additional security guards would cost as much per year as the Initial construction costs. Mrs. Kirby made an amendment to the motion to Include a 30 day waiting period. Mr. Loffredo seconded the amendment. Dr. Butler concurred with Mrs. Stofik's Idea. He mentioned limiting the westward traffic on 99th Street from 10th to 9th Avenue. This would require County approval. Mr. Loffredo stated he had problems with Mrs. Stofik's plan and urged passing the motion to study options. Mrs. Kirby has a plan but wants to wait 30 days for more options. Mayor Canton wants to achieve a solution that will lessen Impact on surrounding areas. He advised that whatever plan Is considered will not please everyone but due the crime problem at the Club the issue has to be addressed. The motion to continue erecting the fence, to leave entrances open and to not proceed with the guard house installation for a period of 30 days passed unanimously. Mayor Canton recommended residents or ad hoc committees within the neighborhoods contact the Council members Individually to discuss configurations and security. Residents will be advised when the Public Hearing will be scheduled. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. ATTEST: Elly F. Johnson Village Manager BY: Aria Clayton Deputy Village Clerk Sero Ca ton Mayor