Stuart tables stop-sign plan, directs staff to pursue neighborhood traffic-calming options and school-zone safety measures

Staff from the development department and the police department presented a traffic-calming package and Resolution 72-2025, recommending eight additional stop-sign installations between Southeast Ocean Boulevard and 10th Street and identifying school-zone camera enforcement as a potential tool.

Planner Michelle Arvizal and Development Director Jody Coogler described the specific proposed stop-sign placements on Southeast Kruger Parkway, Parkway Drive, Madison Avenue, Dolphin Drive and Flamingo Avenue. Police staff described vendor options for school-zone photo enforcement (fixed cameras and relocatable trailers) and noted the varying fine schedules and contractual arrangements among vendors.

Neighbor groups and traffic professionals disputed whether additional stop signs are the best speed-management tool. Bonnie Moser, who has led community workshops on the corridor, cited the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) guidance that stop signs should not be used primarily for speed control and warned that stop signs can increase speeds between intersections. Several commissioners and residents favored design-based measures — medians, chokers, lane narrowing and neighborhood traffic circles — as more sustainable calming tools.

Commissioner Clark moved to send the plan back to staff for more community-driven solutions, to work with neighborhood representatives (including Bonnie Moser) and to return with a more detailed set of options possibly tied to budget items. The motion was seconded and, following public comment and staff agreement to work with residents, the commission voted to table Resolution 72-2025 to a date uncertain so staff can return with more comprehensive proposals.

The police chief noted that some vendor models for school-zone cameras are currently structured so the vendor recovers fines and shares revenue with the municipality, but he also cautioned that he had not completed a fiscal analysis of costs and legal constraints. Staff and residents agreed any camera use would be limited to statutorily allowed school-zone hours and that the city should continue existing enforcement and the use of speed-display trailers while studying options.

Staff will return with a revised package after outreach to residents and with cost and legal analysis for photo enforcement vendors and for design-based traffic calming.