On Tuesday morning, I met with the City Manager and the City Engineer to figure out what we can do to address the understandable concerns of GP in connection with the Pembroke Road widening project. Please remember, this is a county managed project but we have worked well with them in the past.
The city manager will reach out to the County to see if they will allow us immediately begin installing wall along Pembroke Road. Wall has to go up anyway, might as well get it done now. The financing aspect of this can be figured out if the county can cooperate. As to the issue of a gap between resident fencing and the noise wall, sadly the staff don't believe this can be avoided. In fact, the gap may need grow given field conditions -- from the originally projected 18 inches to 3 feet. Those with impacted fences will most likely face a "good news, bad news" scenario.
The good news is will they will have unrestricted access to about 3 feet more of back yard that is city owned, for which no property tax is assessed.
The bad news is they will have a gap between where any current fence ends and where the new noise wall will be constructed. It simply cannot be avoided, so let's be upfront about that. The city cannot spend public dollars on private property. This is against the law. Let's gather as neighbors and figure this out knowing we have time to do it. This part I do regret. There's simply nothing that can be done about it the engineer says.
Second, we will figure out how to replat your back exit with BrowardCounty so that it allows turns left and right, rather than just right turns as the current platting reads. Third, we will talk with the county about a traffic signal at the new GP exit. Fourth, we will see if there is some better way to block light coming off the planned light poles from bleeding over into homes. If not, I have made the suggestion that there be no light poles and instead we work from a country road model that has no light poles. I do not know if FDOT will accept that but we are trying.
Last, I raised the issue of speeding at that location. We will be working with PD to see what is possible to help slow traffic down particularly at night.
Many steps must follow this initial work plan but I can assure that the city is motivated to get them done. We're on it. I shall continue to keep you posted and hopefully we can move all the items forward as you and I both wish to see.
Angelo Castillo, Commissioner
City of Pembroke Pines
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