BY DAN HILDEBRAN
Monitor Editor
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— The city council approved an interlocal agreement with the Clay County School District which will allow the district to close a portion of Southwest Pecan Street during parts of school days.
The 3-1 vote during the council’s April 4 meeting passed with the proposal’s major opponent absent.
Tony Brown argued against the project when it was first proposed in October.
Council Member Bobby Brown voted against the agreement during the April 4 meeting.
In October, Keystone Heights Elementary School Principal Beth Turbeville told council members that the section of Pecan Street between Southwest Highland Avenue and Orchid Avenue has been reserved for bus pick up and drop off. However, people in cars continue to use the road.
“From the beginning of the year, we’ve had cones, we’ve had barriers set up and cars will literally blow right past,” Turbeville said. “We’ve had near accidents that have been very scary, especially since we have students crossing that street even though we are there with them.”
Tony Brown led the criticism of the proposal, saying he preferred to try improved signage and intensified law enforcement before closing the road to the public during school hours.
Residents living near the school have argued against the barriers, telling council members the proposal would impede access to their homes and increase traffic and unauthorized street parking on Breezway Drive and Southwest Cardinal Drive.
Prior to the April 4 vote, Bruce Harvin, representing the school district said signs restricting traffic on the road have not stopped drivers from using the street during bus drop-off and pickup times.
“If somebody intentionally were to go down there, the sign’s not going to stop them,” Harvin said. “That swing arm gate will, and I hope it does damage to their car.”
Under the agreement, the school district will bear the construction and maintenance costs for the barriers.
Mayor Karen Lake said she has supported the barriers since the idea was first proposed last year.
“I think, you know, for 20 minutes twice a day, for the interruption of what that means to residents, I feel like that safety and security is needed,” Lake said.
Vice Mayor Steve Hart said that the agreement has a bailout provision that allows the city to cancel the agreement at any time.
“Secondly,” he added, “if it saves the life of one kid, I think it’s worth at least trying.”
Bobby Brown said the swing gate itself could be a safety hazard.
“If it gets hit by a vehicle it would have enough strength to kill somebody as it was swinging around,” he said.
Brown added that instead of the road barriers, he favored more stringent law enforcement in the area during bus times.
