BY RON BUKLEY
The Royal Palm Beach Village Council gave final approval last week to change the speed limit on Okeechobee Blvd. from 50 mph to 45 from Wildcat Way east and from 35 mph to 40 west of Wildcat Way.
New signs should be put up sometime over the next couple of weeks, according to Assistant County Engineer Tanya McConnell.
At a meeting Thursday, Feb. 2, RPB Senior Planner Bradford O’Brien said that construction along Okeechobee Blvd. has changed its character and development patterns, which led staff to consider the speed limit changes. After consultation with county staff, they came to believe that the speed limit changes are appropriate.
O’Brien pointed out that although that portion of Okeechobee Blvd. is a state road, the village is empowered to set speed limits within its boundaries after an investigation determines that the changes are reasonable.
“We have done that, and staff is recommending these speed limit changes,” O’Brien said.
The council gave preliminary approval Jan. 19.
Mayor Matty Mattioli said he had received several favorable comments about the change, which would remove the abrupt speed limit reduction westbound at Wildcat Way from 50 mph to 35, which Mattioli said had drawn many accusations from motorists that it was a speed trap.
Councilman Fred Pinto said he had also received positive feedback about the speed limit modifications. “It seems like the logical thing to do,” Pinto said. “It makes sense.”
Councilwoman Martha Webster made a motion to approve the ordinance, which carried 4-0.
In other business, the council postponed the final plat approval of the Enclave, a planned multi-family residential development on 29.9 acres located on the west side of State Road 7 near the Victoria Grove community.
The postponement until the next meeting was in order for Wellington to sign off on water and sewer service that it will provide to the area. “They promised us they would have it by Feb. 14, which is two days before our next meeting,” Village Manager Ray Liggins said.
The council also postponed final approval for the sale of village-owned property on the north side of Okeechobee Blvd. behind the First Baptist Church of Royal Palm Beach. Details are still being worked out for the church to purchase the property.
