March 26th Roads Town Hall Meeting & Updates District 6 Resident

Good Afternoon,

I hope this finds you well. As your Commissioner, it is important to me that you are informed and involved in decisions that affect our community. I am writing to invite you to a Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, March 26th at 6:30 P.M, where we will discuss several crucial topics, including the conversations surrounding 40th St North and 140th Ave North.

The Meeting will take place at the Palm Beach County Acreage Branch Library, 15801 Orange Blvd, Loxahatchee, FL 33470.

If you plan to attend the town hall meeting, please RSVP by clicking the link below.

RSVP Here: March 26th Roads Town Hall

Feedback Request and Updates from Commissioner Baxter

Loxahatchee and Acreage Residents

One of the main issues faced by constituents in the Acreage and Loxahatchee areas are related to traffic congestion.

These include:

Northlake Blvd
Seminole Pratt Whitney Rd
Persimmon Blvd
State Road 7
60th St. N.
40th St N. /140th Ave N.

Since these are a top concern of the residents, I have made them a priority of mine. As a resident that appreciates our rural area and the freedoms we enjoy, I am dedicated to finding a solution that preserves our rural lifestyles and still accommodates an increasing flow of traffic. Residents are rightly concerned about increased traffic near their homes, and I share this concern.

Unfortunately, we cannot ease traffic by rejecting any proposed changes to our roads. However, limiting the number of lanes and locations is one way that we can minimize impacts to our neighborhood. County engineering and public works staff has stated in the backup document to the comp plan meeting “Without this TIM amendment for additional roadway connectivity, traffic dispersal options in the area will be limited, likely leading to traffic congestion, driver frustration, increased crash potential, and longer emergency response times.”

While a Compromise on these changes will disappoint some, I pledge to find a common ground that we can all live with. Despite the spread of misinformation and scare-tactics from others in the district, I am dedicated to hearing the concerns of the residents and coming up with solutions together. I hope this newsletter answers your questions, gives an opportunity to provide feedback, and keeps you informed about the following projects:

Northlake Blvd

My goal is to provide much-needed relief to our area. Our residents have been trapped behind accidents on Northlake for too long, and on too many occasions. In order to relieve congestion on Northlake, the following must be accomplished in our Northern Community:

An increase in the amount of Right of Way (ROW) on Northlake from 120’ to 142’ from Bay Hill Dr. to State Road 7. See Image
The extension of Seminole Pratt Whitney North and connection to Coconut. This would provide an alternate route to Beeline Hwy.

Northlake is currently under construction and has enough ROW to become a six-lane road. However, a portion of Northlake requires a wider ROW to become an eight-lane road, if needed.

History

In January 2023, residents from Ibis, Bayhill, and other Northlake communities cited safety concerns to oppose a larger ROW. The increase in right of way was proposed in order to accommodate additional lanes of traffic.

Contrary to the arguments of the above communities, Acreage residents are concerned about being trapped behind an accident on Northlake Blvd. If an accident occurs, the resulting congestion can cause serious delays in emergency response, putting lives at risk and leaving residents with no way in or out of traffic.

On March 12th, 2024, I gave direction for staff to bring this item back to the BCC. Acreage and Loxahatchee residents need the opportunity to make their voices heard.

Project Updates

Seminole Pratt Whitney Rd (SPW Rd) and Northlake Blvd – This Project is currently under construction. The county intends to widen this area to four lanes. The original contract length was 900 days with an original price of $18 million. Extensive utility delays, however, have pushed the project back more than one year. Additionally, the contractor has requested over $1 million in change orders.

Northlake Blvd from SPW Rd to Hall Blvd – Project scope is to widen this area to four-lanes. The right of way and design are complete. Permits are in hand, and a bid for the project will be advertised in 2024.

Northlake Blvd from Hall Blvd to Coconut Blvd – Project scope is to widen this area to four lanes/six lanes. The designs have been completed, however, right of way and permits are still pending. This will be bid separately from the western piece.

Northlake Blvd from Coconut Blvd to State Road 7 – Project scope is to widen this area to six lanes. This project is underway and being constructed by Avenir’s developer. They are anticipating final completion in summer 2024. Note that this includes the same area that may ultimately need to be widened to 8 lanes and would be the subject of future discussions.

If you would like to speak in favor of increasing the Right of Way (ROW) on Northlake Blvd, please let us know by replying to this email with “UPDATES ON NORTHLAKE BLVD.” or click the link below to let us know which updates you are interested in receiving.

Road Updates

Seminole Pratt Whitney Extension

Coconut Blvd is already planned and under construction to go through Avenir and connect to Beeline Hwy once a certain amount of Avenir homes receive certificates of occupancy (C.O.’s). Avenir is responsible for constructing this roadway extension.

Seminole Pratt Whitney is a much-needed alternate connection. Traffic should not be funneled through a residential community as the sole route to Beeline Hwy.

Would you like to see Seminole Pratt Whitney extended to connect north of Avenir to Coconut, providing access to Beeline Hwy?

Click Here to Provide Feedback

If you would like to have updated information on the Seminole Pratt Whitney extension as it is available, please reply to this email with “UPDATES ON SEMINOLE PRATT EXTENSION.” or click the link below to let us know which updates you are interested in receiving.

Road Updates

State Road 7

Project Update:

There was an administrative challenge to the South Florida Water Management District’s Environmental Resources Permit (ERP) with a hearing that began in October of 2023, and has been continued to resume on April 1, 2024. The County, as a co-applicant to the ERP fully supports FDOT in their construction of this roadway connection. Palm Beach County understands that this is a priority for residents and will work to keep you informed as more information becomes available.

For updated information on State Road 7, such as hearing dates and results, please reply to this email with “UPDATES ON STATE RD 7” or click the link below to let us know which updates you are interested in receiving.

Road Updates

60th St N

60th St N is a much-needed east/west corridor in the Acreage. This connection has been a priority of mine since I took office.

60th St N is a Palm Beach County Road that is currently identified as a 100’ ROW between Seminole Pratt Whitney (SPW) and Royal Palm Beach Blvd on the TIM.

County staff has been working with Minto Developments to reach a Public-Private agreement allowing Minto to construct 60th St N. This could save taxpayers millions of dollars.

60th St N is currently listed as a three-lane road. In order to avoid having two connections onto 140th, 60th St N must become a five-lane road.

Would you like to have one five-lane connection from Westlake to 60th St N, or two connections to 140th, with 60th St N as a three-lane road and another road as two-lanes?

Click Here to Provide Feedback

If you would like to have updated information on 60th St. North as it is available, please reply to this email with “UPDATES ON 60TH ST N,” or click the link below to let us know which updates you are interested in receiving.

Road Updates

Persimmon Blvd

Persimmon Blvd is currently on the TIM as an 80’ ROW and may be removed if the Board of County Commissioners ultimately agrees to remove it from the TIM.

Would you like to see Persimmon Blvd stay on the TIM as an 80’ ROW?

Would you like to see Persimmon Blvd connect to Westlake?

Would you like Persimmon Blvd removed from the TIM?

Would you like 60th St N to be the only additional east/west corridor?

Would you like more roads providing an east/west corridor if it reduced traffic on all roads? Possible roads would consist of 60th St. N, Persimmon Blvd, Orange Grove Blvd, 40th St. North.

Click Here to Provide Feedback

If you would like to have updated information on Persimmon as it is available, please reply to this email with “UPDATES ON PERSIMMON BLVD” or click the link below to let us know which updates you are interested in receiving. This will help us update you on road projects you are interested in.

Road Updates

40th St. North / 140th Avenue N

Roads/TIM Process

A County Commissioner may direct, if supported by a majority of the Board of County Commissioners, County staff to begin the process of exploring amending, adding or removing a road from the TIM (Thoroughfare Identification Map).

Staff then sends out a public notice of consideration for the proposed roads. Since an 80-foot ROW is the minimum county engineering/public works standard, this amount is published on the notice letter.

After publishing such a notice for these roadways, County staff held a virtual meeting with affected residents. This process is essential for gathering information before any decisions are made. While staff presented that an 80-foot right of way was the standard cross section, it was not my intention to proceed with eminent domain.

During meetings with staff over the past few months, discussions with engineering and public works staff to limit 40th St. N to two lanes on 40th were met with opposition due to the traffic needs. County staff suggested a minimum of three lanes.

To reiterate, county engineering and public works staff has stated in the backup documents “Without this TIM amendment for additional roadway connectivity, traffic dispersal options in the area will be limited, likely leading to traffic congestion, driver frustration, increased crash potential, and longer emergency response times.”

Clarifications

Eminent domain is not something I am willing to consider.

Removing preserve land is not something I am willing to consider.

Traffic requires connectivity to help the majority of residents in the Acreage and the residents of Westlake.

Minto’s ability to get additional density is based on Westlake’s regulations and not the county’s regulations or the TIM.

It is not until after initiation that staff will examine road alignments and which properties would be generally affected.

Questions to Consider

How does ITID or their engineers know if any homes would be affected by adding 40th St N and/or 140th Ave to the TIM without knowing the amount of ROW the Board of County Commissioners will approve?

How does ITID or their engineers know the amount of ROW that will be initiated at the Board of County Commissioners meeting if the vote hasn’t occurred? The Board of County Commissioners has the power to initiate a smaller ROW than proposed on public notices.

How does ITID or their engineers know if preserve land would be affected by the addition of a road to the TIM, if the Board of County Commissioners has not yet voted on the amount of ROW?

Standard professional courtesy would dictate verifying information with the county prior to having a community meeting. Open communication is an integral part of this process in order to keep residents accurately informed.

If you would like to stay updated on all information discussed above, please reply to this email with “UPDATES ON ALL” or click the link below to let us know which updates you are interested in receiving.

Road Updates

We Want Your Feedback

Commissioner Baxter wants YOUR input. Please click the link below to answer some questions on the roads in the Acreage.