PACE — The Pace-Pea Ridge Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan is available for viewing online with the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners’ vote on the plan coming up, likely in July, according to Santa Rosa County Development Services Senior Urban Planner Cynthia Cannon.
Those interested can access the plan through the Pace Pea Ridge Bike/Ped Plan Facebook page or directly at http://bit.ly/2rtKlys.
Here are some facts about the plan:
- The plan cost the county nothing.
Santa Rosa County won a $30,000 grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity in 2016 to develop the plan. The county subcontracted with the West Florida Regional Planning Council to do half of the work, according to Cannon, but the grant paid for everything.
- Public input revealed infrastructure weaknesses.
Planners used public meetings and social media to find people’s top concerns with the current pedestrian and biking infrastructure. The top three were access to paths, their viability as an alternative to driving, and poor lighting.
- The plan includes 14 pedestrian infrastructure goals.
The top three are to create more walking paths and trails, provide separation between bicycle and pedestrian facilities and automobile traffic, and increase opportunities for improved community health. Cannon defined this last goal.
“That's about creating a more walkable environment. We know that people will get out and utilize sidewalks and bike paths if they have access to them and they're safe," Cannon said.
- The incoming Publix at Five Points was a top priority for the public.
The public expressed a desire to be able to walk and bike to the new store safely to get their groceries. Five Points is where Chumuckla Highway, Woodbine Road, Quintette Road, and Berryhill Road come together.
- Next steps include Board of County Commissioners approval and identifying funding sources.
Sometime in July, the commission will see a presentation on the plan and vote whether or not to accept it, according to Cannon. The plan includes several potential grant opportunities and funding sources.
“Santa Rosa County is very competitive," Cannon said. "In fact, we already have projects in place that need funding and projects that have gone through the community planning process, and that's typically a requirement when getting state and federal funds. They want to know that the community’s had input. Now we have a plan of potential projects that'll be real competitive for grants in the future.
"We’ve already identified the need, developed a master plan, and have gone through a public hearing process. We’ll be able to be a lot more competitive when funding becomes available.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Pace, Pea Ridge bike and pedestrian plan awaits final approval