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City Splits Cost Of 'No Parking' Signs

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By GEORGE WILKENS

gwilkens@tampatrib.com

Published: February 4, 2009

PLANT CITY - A homeowners association's dedication to improve traffic safety around its park and playground has reached resolution through a cost-sharing arrangement with the city.

At the Jan. 26 Plant City Commission meeting, Royal Hills Homeowners Association officers said the association will pay half of the estimated $1,800 for "no parking" signs on streets bordering the park and playground in their community on the city's west side, off State Road 574.

Cost-sharing came at the suggestion of Commissioner Dan Raulerson, conceding "it's not an exorbitant amount."

Commissioners offered to delay action pending association board approval, but association president Christine Wynne said it was unnecessary.

"We can commit to 50 percent," she said, explaining that she and treasurer Randall Barner, also at the meeting, represent two-thirds of the association's officers and concur on the cost-sharing.

The association's original request in March also sought a reduction in the community speed limit from 30 to 25 and speed tables on streets around the park.

Following an investigation that determined 85 percent of vehicles traveling the streets were going 24 to 31 mph, the city in July denied that request and the one for speed tables, which would reduce response time by emergency vehicles.

Earlier this month, the homeowners association asked the city to proceed with the portion of its request prohibiting parking at all times on select stretches of Scarlet Maple Court, Country Hills Boulevard and Abigail Road around the park and playground.

Vehicles parked on those 22-foot-wide streets pose a danger because children might dart between them into the path of a vehicle, association officers have said.

"This is our last-ditch effort," Wynne said during the final public hearing on the parking ordinance, adding that residents have long sought such safety improvements in their community.

Commissioners unanimously adopted the parking ordinance.

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433.

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