Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/243343
Sarasota News Leader January 17, 2014 Page 114 Siesta Seen She was referring to several discussions last year regarding a county staff proposal to create a number of public parking spaces on county right of way along the road, so people could visit Beach Access 1 without intruding on private land. On Jan. 15, Harmer provided to the board an answer in the form of a memo from Chief County Engineer James K. Harriott Jr. Harriott wrote that the Transportation Department had completed a survey to determine the right of way limits along the road. The right of way boundary on the north side A Sarasota County ordinance prohibits standing in a parking space at the beach is approximately 40 feet from the centerline or otherwise trying to save the space for a of the roadway, he added, and numerous trees motorist. File photo and vegetation within the right of way "proRepresentatives from the Parks and vide a buffer for property owners." Recreation, Fire, Transportation and The pavement must have a width of at least Neighborhood Services departments were 20 feet on each side of the centerline to per- present for that session, he noted, which mit vehicle access, he continued. However, resulted "in a large community turnout." the pavement on the western side is wider. On Dec. 11, he continued, representatives from On Jan. 15, staff from the county's Field Parks and Recreation, Fire, Transportation Services and Transportation departments and Neighborhood Services met with resiwere scheduled to remove sand from the dents on-site to discuss alternatives to the road "to determine the actual width and limits design. of pavement available today for emergency "Based on the comments and input from the vehicles to safely turn around," Harriott residents and other County departments the continued. plan has been revised and now includes 11 In the meantime, an initial design of 18 pub- parking spaces (down from the original concept of 18 spaces)," he wrote. lic parking spaces has been completed. A public meeting was held on Dec. 5 to dis- On Jan. 10, staff met to review options and cuss those details with residents of the road, prepare for another meeting with the residents. Because of multiple concerns raised he added.