LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – The Lake County Commission voted to implement traffic safety improvements in the Sawgrass Bay Community at its Tuesday morning meeting.
The improvements would include new stop signs and all-way stops along with “No Parking” signs from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. on certain streets and lowering speed limits.
Lake County Commissioner, Doug Shields said they were glad they were able to get this done so quickly.
“Safety was the main concern which you know that’s always my number one, gotta keep everyone safe,” Shields said.
According to the commission meeting agenda, in response to a request from the Sawgrass Bay Homeowners Association, the Public Works Department evaluated three intersections for an all-way stop.
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After the study, Public Works determined that all-way stops should be installed at Champlain Street and Fernridge Street/Glassy Loch Loop, Champlain Street, St. Clair Street, Superior Boulevard and Champlain Street.
Should the plan get approved, the Public Works Department would install two new stop signs on Champlain Street at Fernridge Street/Glassy Loch Loop, on Champlain Street at St. Clair Street and on Superior Boulevard at Champlain Street.
Public works would also install “No Parking”, “Stopping”, and “No Standing” signs on Champlain Street and Meadows Street. According to the agenda, parents are lining up in their cars on these streets to pick up kids from Sawgrass Bay Elementary and blocking people’s driveways.
The signs would prevent people from parking on those streets from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Lastly, the Public Works Department found multiple roads throughout the community with speed limits set to 30 mph. Those would be lowered to 25 mph.
Wayne Etheridge has lived in the Sawgrass Bay Community for six years and said the traffic problems have become worse.
“It’s just all ridiculous,” Etheridge said. “I just can’t believe the way it is here.”
Etheridge lives on Champlain Street and said he sees people speeding and parking on both sides of the street which ultimately prevents larger vehicles like garbage trucks and busses from being able to get through.
“They park both sides and then the garbage trucks and busses come through they can’t get through,” said Etheridge. “They have to stop and knock on doors to get people to move their cars.”
School pick-up at Sawgrass Bay Elementary also creates parking problems.
Sawgrass Bay HOA President, James Klinck, said people picking up kids from school park on nearby side streets waiting for dismissal.
“There’s no place to get on the school property to park and the parents are coming out an hour before the school closes,” Klinck said. “So they line up on the side streets which creates a lot of congestion. Homeowners have trouble getting out of their driveways and so on.”
Klinck said he is optimistic about the changes approved by the Lake County Commission.
“Yes, it’s going to make a real difference,” Klinck said. “Time will tell depends on how the drivers respond, but I think it’s a positive.”
Etheridge was also relieved to hear about the new changes.
“I think it’s fantastic, but it needs to get done fast. It really, really does.”
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