Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/289950
Siesta Seen county or regional leaders when a pedestrian safety issue arises. That was why department representatives did not discuss the plan for the "No Turn on Red" sign before erecting it, she indicated. Likewise, she continued, Billy Hattaway, secretary for FDOT District One — which includes Sarasota County — seems adamant about building a roundabout at the intersec- tion of Beach Road and Midnight Pass Road to improve safety of pedestrians trying to get to and from Siesta Public Beach. Nonetheless, she said, "I think [FDOT staff members are] going to hold public hearings" before proceeding with that proposal, which also has generated complaints. "We will see," she added. SKVA President Cheryl Gaddie noted that when she discussed the roundabout with FDOT staff about a month ago, she was told nothing would be done on that project until 2015. When Deputy Chris McGregor questioned how FDOT can proceed unilaterally on the roundabout at that intersection, since Beach Road is a county road, Patterson told him, "You've got a good point, but I don't know how it's going to shake out." Sure signs of season on Siesta: A three-wheel rental vehicle with tourists passes a tractor-trailer loaded with beer in front of Siesta Key Oyster Bar on Ocean Boulevard on the morning of April 1. Photo by Rachel Hackney Sarasota News Leader April 4, 2014 Page 95