Thank you for contacting us with your neighborhood Traffic Safety concern on 22nd Avenue SE at the center median. This median was installed as part of the Old Southeast Neighborhood Association's approved Traffic Plan to slow traffic on 22nd Avenue N, which it has done. Parking was restricted 30 feet from the median to provide a clear travel path for through traffic, while minimizing the reduction of needed on-street parking. This combination has been in place since the median was installed in 2004. Motorists parking past the posted restriction too close to the median is a violation and can be controlled by contacting the Police at 893-7780. No modifications to this design are required.

Mike-
Thanks for your quick response. First, I would request the appropriate State, County, or City Code that you are applying to this situation with reference to the appropriate statutes and any instructions on how to apply them. I think that is a fair freedom-of-information request given my concerns. Second, I took a line from the leading edge of the median perpendicular to the curb and measured the distance from that point to the signs in question. How else would you measure in regard to roadway clearance for a driver not having to swerve to avoid a car or the median, i.e. in your words, “provide a clear travel path”? In this case the actual distance is not 30 feet, rather it is about 26 feet. I of course wait to see what the actual minimum code requirements are and how to apply them. I would cite the Florida Driver’s Handbook in that parking is not allowed “In such a way that you block or create a hazard for other vehicles”. Third, I think your suggestion to contact the Police is a poor use of resources. As you know, illegally parking just a few feet in front of the signs or more than the legal 12 inches from the curb can make things dangerous, especially if the parked vehicles are wide like most pickup trucks. I think our Police Chief would be very upset if I called every time I saw a violation. You may not have, but I have personally seen trucks and cars divert to the other side of the median when these situations occur. You can also see how often the median has been hit compared with the others on that stretch of 22nd Avenue. You cannot deny that every foot counts for public safety in this situation. It should not! Finally, I think you will agree with me that exceeding minimum code requirements when it will improve public safety should be the rule not the exception. I thus don’t really understand your personal reluctance to move the signs say 30-40 feet back vice 26. I would appreciate knowing your reasoning; there must be more to it than a couple of parking spots. Almost everyone on that block has a driveway. Most incredible, there are two driveways right by the northeast sign where most parking violations occur. After you provide me the requested data, I may contact the Police Department to find out just what police reports have been made since 2004. Perhaps then with all the data, Mayor Kriseman, Chief Holloway, you and I can meet on site with cars parked minimally legal before and after the median to evaluate if indeed the current situation provides a clear travel path. We can let the Mayor and Police Chief decide if we do need to make some adjustments. For once, I will be in town long enough to follow this issue to a conclusion.
Bob

Reopen is acknowledged

Please refer to State Statue 316.1945(1)(a)5

Mike
Thanks for the quick response. I did read the statute you mentioned and it does cite 30 feet which we interpret to mean 30 feet from leading edge of the median perpendicular to the curb. The words they use are “within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone.” If you are not inclined to move the signs more than 30 feet from the point on the curb, then let’s agree on 30 feet. Right now we only have 26 feet, and the extra 4 feet are important. We would thus appreciate your moving the signs at least 30 feet from the point on the curb and don't see how you could object to this request. We appreciate your cooperation on this and are not trying to harass the city. By the way, this morning a car was parked at least 5 feet past the northeast sign, almost blocking a driveway. A passing car had to deviate from a straight path to avoid it. As mentioned before, we don’t want to harass our neighbors or the police.
Bob

Bob,

I have no problem moving these restriction to the 30' distance from the end of the traffic median measured laterally along the curb face, as was the original intent. I will write a work order for our sign crews to schedule.

Thanks - Mike

work order issued

Thanks.
Bob