County Commissioners Approve 44th Avenue Extension With Changes

After months of debate and negotiations with three neighborhoods along a stretch of 44th Avenue, County Commissioners recommended changes to a 1.5 mile stretch of the road through the residential section.

The changes from the county's long-term plan, include lowering the speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph; narrowing the lanes from 12-feet -- which is the typical width of county roads -- to 11-feet; and including a vegetative buffer that the county will pay for and plant.

The changes will take place along the stretch of road from 30th Street East to 45th Street East.

Commissioners approved the plan 5-2 despite some cost and safety concerns. Commissioners Donna Hayes and Larry Bustle voted against the changes.

Residents of the three neighborhoods, Highland Ridge and Oak Trace have long complained that they were not informed about the plans to extend 44th Avenue East, which date back to the 1980s. But county staff showed that the residents were provided with information about the road construction in their deeds.

Still commissioners wanted to work with residents to help force vehicles to slow down and to protect the area from the increased road traffic.

Rather than re-engineer to construct narrower roads, Commissioner John Chappie suggested that the county paint the road stripes in that area so that the car lanes are more narrow and the bike lanes are wider. The effect, commissioners said, will to slow down traffic as they navigate the more narrow lanes.

In addition, the commissioners voted to slow traffic in that area to 35 miles per hour, even though staff had suggested slowing ot from 45 mph to 40 mph.

The county also agreed to plant ficus trees in the county's right of way to buffer the neighborhood from the traffic noise. The Homeowner's Association agreed to take over care of the hedge after 90 days, once it is planted and established.

The county staff said that the county's concessions to the neighborhood added up to a $250,000 value.

While the road project has been heavily contested by neighbors, only two people came to speak at the county meeting. They urged the commissioners to reduce the speed limit.