Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/247585
Sarasota News Leader January 24, 2014 Page 104 Siesta Seen work — even do one of those demos with a bird's eye view of a similar roundabout. This situation is fairly unique to the roundabout discussions as the [Siesta] roads are just 2 lane but the traffic is sometimes very heavy. [Residents of a] nearby condominium project of some size [fear] that they will never be able to even get out of their driveways in season. Others think the level of traffic on the circle will be so heavy that it will cause more backup than a traffic light." Patterson added that she planned to raise the topic during one of the County Commission's regular meetings next week. In the meantime she suggested Harriott let FDOT representatives "know there is concern. A response on their part to hold a couple of meetings as they did for the pedestrian walkways [on Midnight Pass Road] would be great, where people actually got to vote in a straw poll." residents of our community I wanted to thank you for your support of the upgraded crosswalk warning signal at the intersection of Beach Road and Beach Way Drive." He added, "This crosswalk is the primary path for our neighborhood of 298 homes to get across Beach Road to Siesta Beach. As you have heard, the previous signal was ineffective. My experience more often than not was that drivers did not slow down at all for people trying to cross. I'm optimistic that this new warning system will improve the safety at this crosswalk. My observation is that the upgraded units installed by FDOT on Midnight Pass Road work very well." Finally, he wrote, "We are also appreciative of the support provided by the Siesta Key Association, especially Peter Van Roekens." SPEAKING OF CROSSINGS … During the Feb. 5, 2013, Siesta Key Village Association (SKVA) meeting, van Roekens — secretary of the Siesta Key Association (SKA) and a Terrace East condominium complex representative at the SKVA meetings — raised the matter about those constantly flashing lights at the Beach Road crosswalks near Siesta Public Beach. Just as he pursued a county response to the need for better illumination of crosswalks in Siesta Village, he went on a mission, so to speak, to address this second safety issue. On Jan. 20, Tony Romanus, president and technology chairman of the Siesta Isles Association, sent Commissioner Patterson an email saying, "On behalf of the Siesta Isles Association Board of Directors and the Discussions about those Beach Road lights continued at the February 2013 SKA meeting, and Patterson brought the matter to the attention of her fellow commissioners and county staff. In the latter note, Patterson was referring to the new Midnight Pass crosswalks constructed in late 2012 between Beach Road and Stickney Point Road. FDOT held a public hearing about residents' safety concerns along that stretch of road and then surveyed condominium residents before planning the project.