HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 05 11 Informational Item C
COMMISSION AGENDA
IT:E~M C
CONSENT
INFORMATIONAL X
PUBLIC HEARING
REGULAR
May 11, 1998
Meeting
MGR~EPT~
Authorization
REQUEST: Polite Department Advising the City Commission of their efforts to
investigate the pos:~ibilities of designating Bennett Street as a "Play Street".
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is to inform the City Commission of a request by
the residents of Bennett Street to have their street designated as a "Play Street", and the
Police Department's response to that request by investigating applicable Florida Statutes
and City Ordinance,
CONSIDERATIONS: Several residents of Bennett Street have submitted a petition to
the Police Departffil~nt (see attachment) requesting that Bennett Street be designated as a
Play Street, with appropriate traffic control measures enacted to allow for this
designation. The Police Department desires to work with the residents of Bennett Street
as much as possible: to achieve their goals, while keeping foremost in mind the safety of
children in the afl~a. Bennett Street is a residential street within the Meadowlark
Subdivision. The subdivision is located north of State Road 434 and south of State Road
419. It is bordered by Wade Street to the east, and Sherry Avenue to the west. The
nearest city park to 1the subdivision is Torcaso Park on N. Moss Road.
ISSUES ANALYSIS: The Police Department has researched this matter and determined
the following:
. Florida's STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL statute 316.2065(12)
prohibits any pl~rson from roller skating, or riding any coaster or toy vehicle on a
roadway, however...
. Statute 316.206:5(13) states that this prohibition does not apply on any street that has
been designated a Play Street by state, county or municipal authority.
. Florida Statute 316.008 Powers of local authorities, paragraph (1)(P) provides for
local authorities to reasonably exercise police powers over streets and highways under
their jurisdiction, including "Designating and regulating traffic on play streets. "
. Winter Springs City Code Chapter 12 MOTOR VEmCLES AND TRAFFIC,
ARTICLE IT: ADMINISTRATION, Sec. 12-27. Duties and powers of chief of
police relative lto operation and parking of vehicles. , gives the Chief of Police the
power and authorization to regulate the operation and parking of vehicles within the
corporate boundaries of the city, including the functions of:
. (1) Regulating motor vehicles:
c. Adopting and enforcing such temporary or experimental regulations as
may be necessary to cover emergencies or special conditions: -and-
. (2) Designating uses or prohibitions for streets:
f. n~signating and regulating traffic on play streets.
Based upon these findings, it appears to be within the authority of the Chief of Police to
make this type of designation. The Police Department staff is in the process of viewing
the character and nature of the area in question, the existing traffic patterns associated
with the area, detennining the feasibility of honoring the request presented, the potential
impact to the neighborhood and the types of signage and enforcement that would be
necessary to regulate traffic on a designated Play Street. This research should be
completed within the next week. The Police Department expects to be able to present the
Commission ~i~ a plan for the designation and regulation of traffic on Play Streets at the
meeting of June 8, 1998.
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE:
To be determined by the outcome ofthe Police Department's research.
ATTACHMENTS: Petition from the residents of Bennett Street. (2 pages)
COMMISSION ACTION: None required at this time, this item is for the Commission's
information.