[Autoshow]

Originally Posted by Cliff

Autoshow. For the reasoning you present, we, the residents on Oak Forest, hold out no hope at all that the signs will solve our problems. Sumter County also realizes that. But, in order to justify something like making the road a one way road or to build a berm across the street halting traffic from both directions, they had to start off with the sign idea. When enough idiots ignore the signs (not necessarily including you among the idiots) then they can go on to more drastic measures. This is all well thought out and much of the stuff being posted on this blog is fully anticipated. One of the things that we would least expect would be for the idiots to reverse their reasoning and start to use the Buena Vista Blvd and cart path trail. You would not do something like that would you? Hell, if you did, this blog would have no purpose.

I willl not be using Oak Forest any more until the legal situation is solved.

[barb1191]

Just a bit of history...

When I purchased in Polo Ridge off Southern Trace in 2002, the gates at both ends of Southern Trace were locked. One needed a gate pass to enter either end of the road.

The only way one without a pass could enter any part of Polo Ridge was at the Glenview manned gate and then onto Oak Forest Drive (OFD) to Southern Trace. My guests and any deliveries or hired hands had to take this route of going thru the Glenview manned gate and onto OFD. EVERYONE WITHOUT A GATE PASS.

I don't know how long you have lived on OFD, Cliff, but at that time when I moved into Polo Ridge, the traffic was pretty heavy on your road until they opened both ends of Southern Trace a few years later.

I imagine that people living on Southern Trace can also feel the effects of heavy traffic since it's a shortcut from Buena Vista to Rte 466 in the Southern Trace Plaza, as well as Buffalo Ridge shopping area. Opening both ends of Southern Trace had to have lightened the traffic on OFD since the gates were accessable to all.

If you expect preferential treatment regarding traffic, there are many other streets that can claim the very same. With all due respect, I really feel that there is no way one street, owned by the County, can expect to be closed to the public. Along with the fact that there are many homes in that area who hire trades people, and such who are traveling that road to get to their destination within the OFD area.

Just a neighbor's point of view.....barb

[Muncle]

Well, I'm one of the idiots. After suffering through all the supposed justifications by the selfish residents of Oak Forest Drive and deciding that this sign was morally wrong and potentially illegal, I happened to be in Polo Ridge today and actually entered the forbidden zone. I was as excited and filled with trepidation as the first time I drove thru a red light area. Wasn't near as much fun. Granted, it has been quite a while since I'd been there, but I could detect no Sword of Damocles hanging over the place. Road looked kinda empty. While in the area, however, I spoke with some friends who live on Woodbridge Dr. They're keeping a close eye on Oak Forest and plan the same thing if this one holds.

And of course Belvedere will follow as this is without doubt the busiest gate and the street most packed with speeding nonresidents in existence. Man the barricades! The barbarians are at the gates, or, in this case, driving down my street!

[Cliff]

Barb1191, I had been in Glenbrook for a couple of years when you moved into Polo Ridge. Polo Ridge was still in stages of development when our traffic problems on Oak Forest began. I don't recall the gates being locked so that a press of the button would not get a response. But, besides the point, you are absolutely right that The Villages did nothing whatsoever to cut the traffic being routed through OF in order to get to your neighborhood. The traffic problems here are, indeed, deep rooted. The people who should be getting the blame for this problem are The Villages and Sumter traffic engineers. They really goofed.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Cliff

Barb1191, I had been in Glenbrook for a couple of years when you moved into Polo Ridge. Polo Ridge was still in stages of development when our traffic problems on Oak Forest began. I don't recall the gates being locked so that a press of the button would not get a response. But, besides the point, you are absolutely right that The Villages did nothing whatsoever to cut the traffic being routed through OF in order to get to your neighborhood. The traffic problems here are, indeed, deep rooted. The people who should be getting the blame for this problem are The Villages and Sumter traffic engineers. They really goofed.

Boy Howdy YES. and they are responsible for my hot flashes too.

[Sidney Lanier]

No matter whether 'outsiders' are pro or con, the people on Oak Forest believe they have a legitimate complaint about through traffic and managed to convince the powers-that-be to bar it. Who am I to judge; I didn't even know where the street was!

But I keep coming back to my concern--and maybe this thread should be on the Villages Forum, not Non Villages. How many residents of how many DOZENS of streets in TV have the same legitimate complaint and, with this precedent, be vocal and forthright in taking it down the same path (no pun intended...) as the Oak Forest residents.

What will happen to our traffic in general?

Here is a map which shows the location of Oak Forest Drive which is just to the west (left) of Buena Vista on this map http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Th...:::::f:EN:M:/e

[Cliff]

Collection6. You claim to read but you don't seem to be able to comprehend very well.

[bestmickey]

I suggest that a reduced speed limit and a sign for "No Truck Traffic" should suffice to solve the problems.

As for me, I can't wait to move to The Villages. It's been a long time since I've gotten the thrill of breaking the law. I'm looking forward to it if your "no thru traffic" signs stay put. ;D

[samhass]

1rnfl 1rnfl Mickey, you may find some here that wish to assist in your quest for lawlessness!!

Originally Posted by bestmickey

I suggest that a reduced speed limit and a sign for "No Truck Traffic" should suffice to solve the problems.

As for me, I can't wait to move to The Villages. It's been a long time since I've gotten the thrill of breaking the law. I'm looking forward to it if your "no thru traffic" signs stay put. ;D

[Chazz]

I've been trying to find references on the internet applicable to the "no thru traffic" or "no thru street" sign issue, with limited success. I did find, however, a published opinion in 2004 by then Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist that seems to address a similar situation for the City of Cape Coral. I will post the link, following this message. The bottom line is that the opinion suggests that the right of the public to access public streets is the right that prevails.

Link:

http://myfloridalegal.com/ago.nsf/Op...256E620055999C

Originally Posted by Chazz

I've been trying to find references on the internet applicable to the "no thru traffic" or "no thru street" sign issue, with limited success. I did find, however, a published opinion in 2004 by then Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist that seems to address a similar situation for the City of Cape Coral. I will post the link, following this message. The bottom line is that the opinion suggests that the right of the public to access public streets is the right that prevails.

Link:

http://myfloridalegal.com/ago.nsf/Op...256E620055999C

Caveat about these opinions. They are only advisory. They do have weight though.

"What is an Attorney General's Opinion?
Attorney General Opinions answer legal questions of a public nature that relate to a public official's duties.

In other words, an Attoney General's Opinion helps to interpret laws and guide state and local officials in applying the laws. An opinion is similiar to a legal precedent and stands until a court or later opinion overrules it or new legislation is enacted to change the statute in question. Opinions are not binding on a court, but are usually given careful consideration and respect.

The most appropriate questions for opinions are questions about inconsistent statutes or legal principles, confusion in the law itself, the constitutionality of a statute or rule, or legal disputes between two government entities." http://www.iowa.gov/government/ag/is..._opinions.html

[billethkid]

Signs put up for the purpose of controlling or governing traffic must meet certain requirements. When met the ruling body does their job and authorizes the placing of the sign.

That ends their responsibility. They do not assign nor assure enforcement.

For example, the sign on 472 (Rainey Trail) was posted with a 59,000 pound weight limit restriction, to keep the noise down as well as the wear and tear on this road. Would anybody like to guess how much 18 wheelers weigh? Moving vans? Cement trucks/loaded? Gravel and dirt dump trucks?

Doesn't faze em' one single bit.

Mission accomplished: signs up!!! Problem solved...you jest...eh!!!

As long as you get the right group together with an explicit enough presentation to the powers that be....you can get a sign. And maybe....MAYBE....it will work for the timid and staunch law abiding majority. As for the others, they will continue to do what they have always done, sign or no sign with no fear of enforcement. And even if enforced or even go so far as to be ticketed, the precedent of other streets, no signs, no enforcement, no tickets...the judge will throw it out.

Once again please be reminded we, as usual, are talking about trying to "manage" the less than 1% who are going to do what ever they want whether we like it or not.

BTK

[collection6]

So that everyone is aware, these new regulations, with the exception of the speed limit apply only to commercial vehicles. Any village resident can drive on these streets. Please do not be fooled by scare tactics.

[JohnM]

Originally Posted by collection6

So that everyone is aware, these new regulations, with the exception of the speed limit apply only to commercial vehicles.

Could you please provide the basis or authority for this statement?