Development News for Parkland, Florida

Somerset Academy Parkland Expansion Traffic Study and Mitigation Measures Discussed

The city commission held a workshop to discuss the traffic study and related mitigation measures for the Somerset Academy Parkland expansion. The traffic study analyzed existing, future without project, and future with project conditions, focusing on peak hours. The study concluded that all roadways meet level of service standards, the staggered schedule reduces peak impact, and all vehicles can be queued within the school site. Mitigation measures include increasing on-site vehicle stacking capacity, constructing a roundabout at Hillsborough and University Drive, and implementing comprehensive monitoring conditions. The traffic study was reviewed and concurred with by the city's independent traffic consultant, Broward County Traffic. The expansion involves staggering school times to reduce peak impact and accommodate a larger student population. The roundabout at Hillsborough and University Drive is expected to improve traffic flow and safety, reducing delay compared to current conditions. The traffic management plan details the use of traffic control officers, crossing guards, and internal circulation lanes for a stacking capacity of 234 vehicles, with additional overflow lanes available. The school's existing turn lanes into the site are also noted as significantly long, helping to prevent backups onto the through roadway. Future growth projections, including approved projects and background growth, were incorporated into the study, with specific attention to the potential impacts of the Hendricks property development. Monthly and annual monitoring reports are part of the conditions of approval to ensure ongoing compliance and address any traffic issues. Event parking capacity was also discussed, with the site able to accommodate 327 vehicles for special events. The applicant has committed to a comprehensive set of monitoring conditions and a ramp-up schedule with annual caps and remediation requirements. The city's traffic consultant, John Arieta, concurred with the findings, recommending the roundabout and continued monitoring, and noting that the traffic signal warrants were not met for the intersection. Concerns were raised regarding future growth and the cumulative impact of other developments, leading to discussions about how future growth is factored into traffic studies. The need for flexibility in enrollment caps while ensuring safeguards against unchecked growth was a key point of discussion, with proposals for more defined mechanisms for monitoring and approval tied to traffic performance.