11/25/03

City Council Meeting:  December 2, 2003

City Proposed Resolution to Commence Eminent Domain Proceedings on Bypass Easements

·        One of Sanibel’s treasures is its 26-mile shared-use path system.  They are an important part of the “quality of life” attraction to this community.

·        The popularity of the paths has resulted in significant increased usage each year, which has created safety and liability concerns.  The Periwinkle path stretch from the Sanibel Steakhouse to Casa Ybel, with 18 commercial driveways crossing the path, is believed to be the most dangerous section on the island. 

·        According to the Sanibel Police statistics, presented to Council on August 5^th, almost half of Sanibel’s reported bike accidents (24 of 54) over the past 5 years occurred on this section of Periwinkle.

·        The City has been planning an alternative shared-use path for this Periwinkle section over the past several years.  The City’s 2004 budget provides funding ($120,000) for the acquisition of the easements for this path.  The 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan earmarks $230,000 for construction of this path in 2006.

·        On August 5^th, the Council voted to instruct the City to proceed with the acquisition of these easements by all means, including eminent domain.

·        The vote today is simply the next step in the process that this Council authorized in August.  The Club hopes that the Council will confirm its earlier decision by continuing on this path to acquire these easements.

·        The “bypass path” will provide a safer alternative path for the many users of the shared use paths—walkers, joggers, dog walkers, rollerbladers, scooters, bird watchers, surrey riders, baby strollers, wheelchairs, as well as bicyclists.  With proper signage and public education, it should take the majority of the pedestrian and bike traffic off the busy Periwinkle stretch.

·        Given the car traffic gridlock on Periwinkle, especially during season, the shared-use paths play an increasingly important role in residential transportation for work, errands, and meetings.  Having this additional and safer path will encourage residents and visitors to use the paths rather than their cars to travel around the island.

·        It will also enhance the Sanibel sanctuary experience for its users, since it runs along the Sanibel River.

·         It will make for a safer driving experience for cars entering these businesses from Periwinkle.  In recent years, there have been a number of bicycle/vehicle accidents, as well as a considerable number of “near misses”, at these crossings.

·        It will also benefit the 11 businesses along this section of Periwinkle, providing safer access by both cars and path users.  By having new accesses to their businesses for bypass path users only, as well as the front entrances on Periwinkle, they can increase the foot traffic to their businesses.

·         This “Periwinkle bypass” path is the #1 recommendation in the City’s Shared-Use Path Master Plan, which this Council just adopted.  This top priority rating reflects the input from the community, the recommendations of the Parks & Rec Committee, the City administration, and the Sanibel Bicycle Club.  It is important to continue to move forward on implementation of the most urgent recommendation contained in this path expansion plan. 

·        There has been some concern about the price tag for this new path.  To defray some of these costs, we believe that the City would qualify for some grant funds for the construction of this path, now that a Master Plan has been adopted.  However, there is one remaining impediment to applying for grant funds—the City must first obtain the easements required to build the path.  Therefore, proceeding to eminent domain to acquire these easements is the next necessary step in the process.

·        The Sanibel Bicycle Club will be happy to work with the City on funding sources for the Periwinkle bypass after the easements are obtained, and will continue our ongoing efforts to work with the Council and City staff on this and other important shared-use path issues.

·        Thank you for your support of this Resolution.