Oakland considers West Orange Trail stop-sign initiative

The commission is scheduled to discuss the initiative at its next meeting, April 26.

By Andrea Mujica
| 12:00 p.m. April 22, 2022

West Orange Times & Observer
News

IN OTHER NEWS

The commissioners commented on the 2022 transportation sales tax referendum at the end of the meeting. According to the Oakland Town Commission’s agenda, the “approval of (the) resolution would support the placement of a 1% transportation surtax referendum on the Nov. 8, 2022, countywide ballot” to be considered by the voters of Orange County. The initiative’s aim is to raise funds to reduce traffic congestion, increase safety for all users of transportation vehicles and offer a wider variety of safer options for commuters. Orange County commissioners will determine whether the initiative will be approved or denied. If approved, it could generate almost $600 million per year dedicated to transportation.
Oakland Mayor Kathy Stark read the National Arbor Day Proclamation at the beginning of the meeting. The Arbor Day Foundation named Oakland a 2021 Tree City USA to honor the city’s commitment to an effective urban forest management after meeting the program’s four requirements. According to a foundation press release, these four requirements include forming a tree board or department; creating a tree-care ordinance; having an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita; and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

The Oakland Town Commission discussed a plan to install stop signs at the West Orange Trail at its April 12 meeting.

The town has been working for more than a year with Myra Planning and Design LLC to study the existing traffic control measures at trail roads that currently don’t have stop signs installed. The streets being considered and studied to implement the stop signs as safety measure include Cross, Daniels, Nixon, Pollard, Walker, Arrington and Starr streets.

All town commissioners support the initiative. However, they will discuss it again at the town’s next meeting April 26.

Three more trail intersections are pending consideration for stop signs installation as further study of traffic patterns is conducted. These include Jefferson Street, Machete Trail and Hull Island Drive.

BRILEY FARMS TABLED

The Briley Farms rezone ordinance was tabled to a future date to be determined.

The developer of the property submitted modifications on the same day of the town meeting.

According to the Town Clerk Elise Hui, one parcel was added to the property and one change of ownership took place.

The town now must re-advertise the ordinance before bringing it to public hearing again.

author

Andrea Mujica

Staff writer Andrea Mujica covers sports, news and features. She holds both a bachelor's degree in journalism and an MBA from the University of Central Florida. When she’s not on the sidelines, you can find Andrea coaching rowers at the Orlando Area Rowing Society in Windermere.