Palm Coast government will develop a process to let residents request traffic-calming measures on certain streets almost citywide.
The Palm Coast City Council’s decision is the result of a $100,000 pilot study that included installing three different traffic-calming methods in several reas, among them speed cushions on Florida Park Drive and Cimmaron Drive.
The cushions will be removed from Cimmaron: residents did not like them. They will remain on Florida Park Drive, and alternate methods such as speed tables, which are gentler on cars than speed cushions, might be studied, though speed tables are not conducive to good drainage.
The council this evening directed the administration to develop a manual that would be central to an overall plan. The manual would enable neighborhoods to apply for traffic-calming measures tailored to their neighborhood. It would include criteria for calming options, public education strategies, and technical specifications. The city would analyze each request and determine whether desired options are feasible and affordable.
At least three council members–Mayor Mike Norris, Council members Theresa Pontieri and Charles Gambaro–are also interested in reducing speed limits on all neighborhood streets from 30 to 25 miles per hour. Council member Dave Sullivan spoke favorably of the idea, comparing it to what Flagler Beach did last year: it lowered its citywide speeds to 20.
Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston said signs would have to be installed on every street. That would cost close to $2 million, though she will provide a more precise estimate in a follow-up meeting.
“This traffic calming thing was, quite candidly, one of my babies. Because I’m very concerned,” Pontieri said. “When I was campaigning, walking up and down Florida Park Drive and Cimmaron, knocking on doors, I was mortified.” She said she would not want to walk her dog there, or walk with her child there.
“I do want us to move forward setting up a traffic calming manual and getting an application process done, then leave it to the residents.” But she’s also in favor of lowering speed limits to 25 miles per hour, even if it’s costly–if the council decides to make it a priority. “So in my mind this analysis is not done yet,” she said, between that and looking at additional calming methods. She also noted that “inconveniencing people is worth slowing them down a little bit if it’s working.”
Norris was displeased with spending as much money as the city did on a traffic study. “We could have the sheriff’s department just have someone sit on a point with the radar and clock vehicles and get that data through an investigation, instead of investing all that money in a traffic study,” he said. That method could in turn justify lower speed limits.
He also wants to encourage the school district to remove bus stops from thoroughfares like Cimmaron and Florida Park Drive. Pontieri and Gambaro support that approach, with more direct contact between the city and the school district. Gambaro said his “first inclination is to lower speed limits, period.” He also favors the traffic manual.
But no additional traffic-calming devices will be appearing for now.
“We’re not deciding speed bumps on this road or speed bumps on this road today,” Council member Ty Miller said. “We’re deciding what the framework is for you to request them on your road, so to speak. You’ll be making that decision along with your neighbors.” About 70 roads would qualify as collector roads fit for traffic-calming devices. Neighborhood streets in subdivisions would not.
Numerous people addressed the council, voicing much opposition to the calming devices on Cimmaron, among other things, but otherwise expressing wide-ranging opinions.
Fire Chief Kyle Berryhill said there’s not yet enough data to determine how the speed cushions are impacting response times. The cushions are engineered in such a way as to allow emergency vehicles to pass without hitting the cushions, but those cavities have to be fine-tuned.
A speed study was completed in June 2024. It showed high speeds across the city. The council asked for a traffic-calming plan, with Florida Park Drive and Cimmaron Drive chosen for a pilot program.
Speed cushions that look like speed bumps, chicanes–sticks that narrow the lane–and actual lane-narrowing were the three systems chosen for the pilot study. Speed cushions were installed on Florida Park Drive and Cimmaron Drive. Chicanes were installed on Forest Grove and Farnsworth Drive. Lane narrowing by striping was done on Sea Trail and Woodbury Drive. Data was collected at all points.
The study found the speed cushions to be “very effective” on Florida Park Drive and Cimmaron, lowering speeds by several miles per hour. Vehicles almost never managed to return to the kind of speeds vehicles drove without the cushions. The chicanes were “somewhat effective.” The lane narrowing was not effective. (It costs more to stripe a road than to install cushions.)
The study included public surveys on all roadways studied. A caveat: the survey was not scientific. It did not control for respondents who repeatedly took the survey. So it could have been gamed. The council is looking to develop a better-controlled survey option, such as voting through an individualized app, which would prevent multiple votes.
The survey on speed cushions drew 916 responses. Residents overwhelmingly opposed speed cushions, with close to 70 percent of respondents not wanting them. While 34 percent want to see no changes (no speed cushions), 23 percent wanted to see slower vehicle speeds. Most found the speed cushions ineffective. Lane narrowing and chicanes did not get favorable responses. See the full survey results in the document below.
Mark says
Yes! Not sure what affect “speed tables” would have on drainage, they’re used in Volusia County and it rains just as hard. Yet if there’s a concern then go to “speed dips”, same principle with drainage to either side. Do the speed limit and you barely notice. Yes to 25 mph too, though I think that could be a street by street process based on length and width along with speed tables/dips.
JimboXYZ says
Was it part of the impact fees to builders/developers ? It’s usually the same suspects that can’t do +/-45 mph within reasonable speedometer error on Belle Terre that are exceeding 30 mph. Part of the reason there is no parking in the streets & swales for the over-utilization of a dwelling. Those folks will never recognize & opt to voluntarily take the precaution that a child might dart out into the street or a homeowner will back out form that location ? I bet this is mostly complaints of 30+ offenders than it is actual accidents. Been a few years since we had the village idiot doing 70+ and killing themselves ? But you never know, those types are amongst us, the next neighbor away from being a problem ?
Pete says
The speed bumps are stupid and make the flow of traffic worse. You can drive over them at full speed if you want, like many of us do, but then you have the tough guys in their Super Duty(snicker) pickups that feel the need to make complete stops before proceeding over them at 1 mph. The bumps generally make crossing FL Park even more annoying.
DP says
So Pontieri has money to spend on traffic studying, and devices. But was part of the problem of kicking the can down the road on fix the aging infrastructure.
So what side is she on???? GESH!!!!!
TR says
Lowering speed limits isn’t going to do anything. People are still going to ignore them and drive like they want. As for the speed bumps go. The city installed them one on a non residential cut through street one and the state came and made them remove them. Not sure if these are legal, especially not having a warning sign informing drivers there is a bump. Well there were no signs two weeks ago when I went through there. The other thing the city did at around the beginning of the year is they changed the timing of the traffic signals. Not you have to sit at a red light for almost 5 minutes. They changed the timing on the main street signals and it makes traffic a nightmare worse than it was before. Time for me to get out of this hell hole city after 37 years.
Edith Campins says
They don’t work. The comercial vehicles barrel right through them without slowing down. The old folks stopd dead before them causing traffic to back up. On Cimmaron Dr. They are spaced so far apart the everyone speeds right up between them. The noise from the comercial vehicles speeding through them is deafening. The worse part? The gyrations people do to try and avoid them. The graas on my swale is dead because drivers swerve into the swale so only one tire is in the gap. Sometimes they just drive on the swale altogether. Walkers are in danger because of the things drivers are doing to avoid them. Another waste of our tax dollars.
MITCH says
Not sure lowering the speed limit from 30 MPH to 25 MPH will convenience a speeder to stop speeding, but I’m all for it for safety for children. I’m all for letting neighborhoods apply for Traffic Calming. It is quite disturbing to not have a possible solution to the speeding problem, so letting neighborhoods apply is the right thing to do. However, Traffic Calming, I doubt it’ll change the minds of those that don’t believe children are endangered by speeding vehicles.
Jester says
Hopefully they really do it. I hate having to walk on some of these streets with no sidewalk.
Zach says
Put some on bridgehaven. Tons of people like Pete here driving down it exceeding 50 mph in the residential area like jckofs.
chuck heynen says
I think this is a good idea. There needs to be something done on Rymfire Drive from Bell Terre to Rae Drive, eastbound and westbound. It is literally a speedway on the weekends in that section. People turning on to Rymfire from Bell Terre just floor it so they can hear the loud car and Rae drive to Belle Terre. I have complained to the sheriffs department, but no police presents ever. We need speed bump in this area. If anything happens to one of my family members in this area, I will own this city! What about a radar sign that flashes blue lights when exceeding the speed limit?
Pig Farmer says
I’ve lived in an area that had speed tables. They were very effective without unduly impeding traffic. 25 mph may sound good to some, unless you live at the end of Cochise ct. Sidewalks would solve two issues on Cimarron. They would give people a safe place to walk and make a buffer between cars and people.
Manuel Oliva says
On East Diamond dr cars and trucks even the mail man drive at high speed witch it’s make it to risk to get hit by a vehicle ,city need to do something, I will will not mind having the bump install in my st, it’s even risk to have children playing around it not safe at all
Critical Eye says
The residents of Florida Park Dr WON!
YES! FPD is a residential street! All you disrespectful idiots that use FPD as a cut through and tried cheating the survey casting multiple votes to have the speed cushions removed
YOU LOST!!! Hahaha! Take your sorry asses with your tails stuck between your legs and NEVER drive on FPD again . You’re NOT WELCOME!
MJ says
Having lived in Palm Coast for twelve years, people observing any type of speed signage is beyond laughable. 50 mph seems normal in 35 mph zones. Perhaps people can’t read??
The real solution is more traffic tickets but that ties up police officers.
Tim Davis says
Speed cameras and ticketing is the only reasonable solution. People drive the way they drive regardless of posted signs. Hit them in the wallet and they will obey the law.
R Section says
Please do something in the R section. I sit in my backyard and feel like I’m right behind the Daytona 500. I can hear drag racing at night, the pop pop guys, the bikes doing high rates of speed. It’s really bad. The first time we heard someone purposely back fireing at every intersection. Starting in the E’s and ending in the W’s I thought we were under attack. It sounded like someone was shooting a shotgun four or five times at every intersection. This has become the norm. Maybe build a racetrack instead of a fuel station so these guys can get their thrills and the City can make money. I have never called the police because I’m sure they have their hands full with other things. I am seriously concerned about the wild life and someone hitting a dear or dog. Which could result in not only the animals death but a persons death.
Jay Tomm says
These are a PITA on Florida park drive. Most new cars are low. I have to crawl over these insane things in a daily basis. Having the motorcycle cops there is a better deterrent. Lowering speed limits do nothing. this should be common sense.
How many 25 zones are in palm coast people ignore….
Laurel says
The more people move down here, the dumber the area gets. When we moved UP here, A1A was 55 mph, with passing zones. Now, it’s 35 mph with double lines. Are you kidding me? Now we drive along and can see every pebble in the road, and bicycles pass us by. Boredom and aggravation sets in.
Flagler Beach is a 24/7/365 school zone. No other town is like that. Driving in Flagler Beach is ridiculous! I’ve never seen a town where people constantly stop where there are no stop signs, and you cannot trust they will stop where there are stop signs. What is it? Y’all can’t take the heat? The synapses won’t fire? Is the speed limit in New York and New Jersey 20 mph?
Put in sidewalks. Walk your dogs with normal leashes, not the leash that lets your dog go through the intersection before you get there. Teach your children to properly cross a road. Have the police/sheriff deps out writing tickets on public residential roads instead of catching cars picking up a little speed due to gravity at the bottom of the bridge. Maybe they can catch the UPS trucks avoiding Moody.
Start using the resources we already have instead of lowering the speed limits to boredom and sleep modes. Maybe we don’t need so many tourists who drive the wrong way on a one way street, or are busy gawking and talking rather than driving.
Mike P says
TR says…”Time for me to get out of this hell hole city after 37 years” Why did it take you this long to start packing? Maybe moving to the Gulf side…like Tampa, where you can’t speed because traffic is bumper to bumper everywhere. Stop complaining or head west on I-4
TitaGanda says
I strongly advocate the installation of a speed bump or other traffic-calming measures along the full length of Laramie Drive. My observations indicate that certain drivers are traveling at speeds of approximately 45 miles per hour, which is significantly above the posted limit for this residential area. This behavior not only poses a serious risk to pedestrians, especially children and elderly residents, but also affects the overall safety and tranquility of our neighborhood. By implementing these traffic-control devices, we can create a safer environment that prioritizes the well-being of all individuals who utilize this roadway, including cyclists and pedestrians.
Eric s says
Now I need shocks and struts for your stupid bumps in the road.
Pogo says
@Cartoon (pun intended)
… that’s all, that’s it.
Belle says
SMH, I do understand the necessity of driving within the speed limit. I already leave an hour early just to get to the hammock beach and that’s doing 25,35 or 45 mph. With this decrease I will have to leave earlier because things will be slower now, a car ride that once took me just 20 minutesnow its more i dont understand. I understand the safety issues but I don’t think this will solve anything. I do have a lot more to say but for now that’s it
PeachesMcGee says
Welcome to Palm Coast, the “Other NASCAR CAPITOL!!”
Please visit our state-of-the -art PC City Street Raceways™ located on Bird of Paradise Dr, Florida Park Dr, Cimmaron Dr, Colbert Ln, and Royal Palm Blvd.
– Open 24/7
– Free Admission
– No speed limits
– No License or Insurance Required
– Drift Cams at intersections
– FCSO “Free Pass” cards
Now featuring new asphalt!
Lorie Robinson says
We don’t need 25 MPH citywide. Just in the residential areas.
Billy says
The only way to stop it is to ticket everybody that is speeding constantly. People ignore the speed limit because they won’t get in any trouble. This town is so crazy it has no law and order just housing development after development.
Speed demon says
Sounds to me like the groundwork for these elected control freaks to start thinking about getting their own police dept
A Concerned Observer says
Lowering speed limits will do little or nothing. Speeders do not limit their callous disregard for speed laws to any road or highway. Drivers maintaining the legal maximum speed of 70 MPH on I95 and to a greater extent I4 only creates hazardous conditions from tailgating, dangerous passing or running into the rear of a driver maintaining the legal speed limit. What rational thinker would expect drivers routinely doing 45 on a 30-MPH zone and 85+ MPH on the Interstates and State highways to slow down to a lowered posted limit?
One thing needs to happen first. Florida needs license plates on the front of all vehicles. That way, Traffic Enforcement Officers and speed cameras can identify a speeding vehicle coming at them rather than having to chase them down from behind. I do not believe the additional cost of a second license plate would be of any appreciable amount. A front license plate will also enable hit-and-run scofflaws and other law breakers a far more likely of being tracked down using the already existing cameras and those citizens unable to legally identify offending drivers. A Google search indicates 29 states and the District of Columbia presently require front plated on ALL VEHICLES. Florida needs to get with the program.
There would be no emergency need to require reregistering all vehicle out of cycle. Simply have two license places issued with the next registration period. Once front license plates become the law, the tools already available to law enforcement already will simply become more efficient.
Joe D says
I think the effort to slow speeds down (especially in residential areas) is laudable.
Flagler Beach lowered its neighborhood streets to 20 mph. However, it’s VERY difficult not to drift over 25 mph ( I can’t even get my vehicle’s cruise control to engage under 25 mph). 20 mph is difficult for even RESPONSIBLE drivers, and those that speed through those areas IGNORE the 20 mph speed signs anyway.
To the concern about the cost of replacing all the existing SIGNS? You don’t have to replace the entire SIGN, you can bond (not a peel able sticker)a new metal square with correct speed digit ( 0 vs 5) OVER the current signs (other jurisdictions have done it for YEARS).
The reality for the speed issues is that people who want to ignore them…WILL! I applaud the rotating speed camera trucks along A1A, but there are smaller more portable speed cameras that other jurisdictions randomly move around the neighborhoods to ensue speed compliance in those vulnerable residential area. Many come with internal security cameras that protect against camera vandalism). Not to mention, some jurisdictions have SIGNIFICANTLY increased the dollar amount of the speeding tickets (especially for multiple repeat offenders…fines go up)!
CPFL says
If the speed limit is lowered you do not need a speed limit sign on every street. Post signage on main roads of Palm Coast saying citywide speed limit 25 unless otherwise posted. That will be a fraction of the cost. Grew up in Raleigh and that is how they avoided having speed limit signs on all streets….if you did not know the speed limit you did 35 or took the chance of a ticket.
Shark says
Removed from Cimmaron because money talks – SANCTUARY !!!!!
DOYOURJOB says
How about FCSO Traffic Unit do their job and start handing out tickets? Every day would be good not just some special detail.
jimmy says
When you have a sheriff department that is too busy running radar on I95 what do you expect. Have you ever seen them doing any real traffic enforcement in town. I’ve lived here since 1998 and never saw one of them on my street.
joey says
I JUST BLOW MY HORN AT EVERY SPEED HUNP ON FLORIDA PARK ESPECIALLY EARLY IN THE MORNING !!!
Donald says
Does Pontieri actually think that the speed bumps or humps work on Florida Park Drive? People slow down for them and then just speed up between them. All she knows how to do is dream up ridiculous ideas to piss away our taxpayer dollars !!!
Blink Blink says
How about we tackle vehicles not using their turn signals first ? Much cheaper and would result in far less accidents.
Richard says
Flagler county has list its way. Fools with their heads buried in the sand. I have never seen a place so back woods in my life.
PeachesMcGee says
I drove these streets for 7 years as a healthcare provider. Never once did I see any type of targeted traffic enforcement. Nothing more than a lone wolf deputy sitting here or there.
Does someone need to be killed by a errant speeding driver or a crosswalk runner first?
All FSCO deputies now have federal powers. Our streets are no longer a priority.
Larry K says
Excellent Idea, drop speed limits.
How about also on Belle Terre and Matanzas woods to 40 mph.
Sonny says
Palm Coast & transplants are the worst thing to happen to Flagler County! Lived here for almost 50 years it used to be wonderful now it’s a rude Yankee shit hole. I’m selling all & leaving.
When you move somewhere stop making what WE HAVE what you F-ing LEFT!
Go fast or get run over says
Speed humps installed on Rt 11 in Bunnell have done absolutely nothing as far as slowing traffic goes and so far 4 cars have actually flown over the top of the under construction roundabout at Cody’s Corner. Whenever this project does get completed who knows what will happen. EVERY time FCSO has radar on 11 numerous cars clocked over 90 mph in a current construction zone
TR says
Mike, because I have had a business in this area for 37 years and had to put up with it. But with retirement in the very near future. There is nothing keeping me here. I appreciate your suggestion, but it’s not because I speed, I do not, and I will move where I think (after my due diligence) will be better then here.
Mothersworry says
Whatever is decided ENFORCE it!!
Anonymous says
I’ve seen FCSO doing traffic enforcement around town, not just on special details. Just because you don’t see 10 FCSO cars in one spot doing traffic detail, doesn’t mean they aren’t out there. Take your face out of your phone and you’ll see them!
Resident advisor says
Set up cameras, every 150 yards and ticket these people 8+ miles an hour over and be done with it.
Rxninja says
Need to raise the speed limit in Flagler on a 1A backup to at least 45 from the hammock to the pier. And fire whatever the genius was that decided to lower it to 35 SMDH. Lowering the speed limit doesn’t get rid of bad drivers and lazy cops. Hell I was at Publix for 20 minutes must have seen at least 30 people roll through the stop signs not even attempting to stop or slow down
Jean says
Why oh why cant we who travel Cimmaron (now zero speed control) and Fla Park Dr (infernal) just have the sensible speed humps Bunnell has that slow you to 20 or 25, NOT 10 or a dead stop? They are EVEN all the way across the road so your car doesn’t rock and bob and screw up your alignment. This City does little correctly, sigh.
jean says
Pig Farmer: Sidewalks on Cimmaron? Where? Need the swales for drainage, and even with them heavy rain is in the street in places.
Bob says
“We need to look into reducing the speed limits”. 30-45 is perfectly fine. Drop it to 5mph then! ITS SPEEDERS you dummies. Remove those stupid cushions. Because wait until the houses around them start cracking bricks and stucco. Take pictures residents because it happen in Jersey in front of my house
Ben says
Adding speed humps would be great. My street, like many others, is a “cut-through” to other roads, and many drivers have decided that 50 miles an hour is acceptable on these streets.
It is hazardous to walk my dog, especially when, on top of high speed, the sun is shining in their eyes.
I would vote : Spend the money on Speed Bumps, as lowering the speed limit will NOT affect those who are speeding anyway.