by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
Editor’s Note: This story has been corrected to show the referendum date is March 2, 2027 and not March 27, 2027.
There will be a referendum in conjunction with the municipal election on March 2, 2027, to determine whether to put a roundabout at the Periwinkle Way/Causeway Boulevard/Lindgren Boulevard intersection (known to locals as the four-way).
Prior to the referendum, the City will prepare an information sheet for residents listing the pros and cons of installing a roundabout.
Kimley-Horn advised Council that installing a roundabout would not require using any land from Pond Apple Park; the roundabout, whether the one-lane or two-lane design, would fit completely within the City’s right-of-way.
Council instructed City Manager Dana Souza to prepare a resolution for its August 18 meeting including ballot language to pose the question to residents/voters as to whether or not to move forward with a roundabout.
This passed unanimously.
We need a referendum to recall the three male members of council who have obviously lost their minds
make that 3 1/2 if you get my drift. One Member has the right questions about new projects, points out all the pitfalls and why you shouldn’t go forward and then vote for it. Could be She’s pressured By the other three. Anyhow let’s keep San about Sanibel and put a stop to all these inappropriate projects.
Thanks,, Jim Weyant
Are there any artist renderings of the proposed project?
We’re here 46 years
Its been discussed for ever. Stupid isea.
A referendum is better than no vote from the public ..however a survey on this issues from ALL Sanibel property owners would be appropriate as many property owners on Sanibel no not vote here as they are part time residents
AS an aside th city council is in office to make decisions ..we have representative government not direct democracy..jus t vote this down and move on ..
Frank my thoughts exactly ! As a property owner, I feel that I should be entitled to being able to vote on things that apply to me as well as a property owner. Too many issues lately that we all should have a voice in .
are you serious, this is the usa and we vote we don’t use polls or surveys. as you know you need to be a resident of florida to vote in florida. you expect us to give up our vote because you can’t’ you are way out line.
thanks, jim weyant
All of us part time residents should send a letter to the council members, whether for or against it. Our voices need to be heard also. I am for it. It will look great and function much better than the current 4 way stop. It will also be a great welcome to our paradise with the center of the roundabout landscaped. I have never liked the entering a construction zone feel that we currently have.
In Europe, where I have spent every summer for thirty years, roundabouts have gradually replaced traffic lights and stop signs at almost every busy intersection, including in much smaller spaces than the one on Periwinkle. They keep traffic flowing smoothly, eliminate backups in most places that used to have them, and have an excellent safety profile. People, including my aged relatives, adjusted to them without difficulty.
One strategy often used is to put a temporary roundabout with soft elements like traffic cones in place and see how that works before installing a permanent one. That has worked very well.
In New Jersey, traffic circles have caused accidents and deaths. Having driven in both New Jersey and Europe, I believe they are entirely different drivers. What works in Europe is dangerous in the more aggressive, faster paced America.
No roundabout, please. Why not a four-way stop sign or a traffic light?
There already are 4 way traffic signs. They don’t work well in the mornings with a flood of oncoming traffic or the afternoons when everyone wants to get off island. The 4 way stops only work well during non rush hour times.
woa! No traffic lights there is a code against them that was voted in by popular vote of the residence. The city Council and the planning department has played around enough with the codes. Let’s stick to the Sanibel plan and the code as is. Again as long as the Causeway is two lanes the traffic problem will be here.
Thanks, Jim Weyant
Based on about 100 next door commentors there is about 15% for the roundabout and 85% against. What more does City Council need in order to bury this topic forever?
IT WON’T WORK!! I am a full time resident of Sanibel and we all want a solution to the traffic problems. A roundabout won’t work. I have a home in Meridian, Idaho which I visit several times a year to see the grandkids. Meridian is one of the fastest growing cities in the US and the traffic has increased with it. There are 10-12 roundabouts within 5 miles of my house. Meridian was smart enough to put the roundabouts in the more rural areas where traffic was lighter and they were smart enough to not put roundabouts in the high traffic areas. As the traffic has increased with population growth, I’ve seen first hand, how what used to be a smooth transition of traffic in the roundabouts, has now become a bottleneck, especially during rush hour. The Sanibel city council should stop wasting time on any further studies and hopefully the voters will put this boondoggle to rest forever.
For a moment (or two) think through having a roundabout right now. Think of the tractor-trailer attempting to keep all 10+ tires on the tight circumference roundabout as it tramples the curb and decorative flora. Don’t forget the dump trucks, garbage trucks, motor homes, boat trailers, etc. Think of the pedestrian traffic, E-Bikes, Golf Carts, bicycles interfering and congesting the “efficiency” of the roundabout. (There are presently 4 entry points slowing traffic down to accommodate them). Think of the fender-bender stopping the flow AND, exactly where would the vehicles would pull-over to exchange insurance information. Think of the new Kangaroo gas station and the traffic attempting to enter and exit that new facility. Think of the money wasted if the roundabout doesn’t cure the traffic issue – then think about the cost of removal. Think about what Sanibel is – it’s an Island. One way on. One way off. A vacation destination that the visitor understands what must be dealt with in order to get here. Remember the residents who know what they have to deal with (traffic) in-season who understand the costs associated with living on a barrier island. If the City is infatuated with solving the traffic problem, then why not ALSO study a computer-controlled traffic light and release the “it’s not in the Master Plan for Sanibel”. Just sayin’…..
Spot on!!
I’m not sure why so many have expressed opposition to trying a roundabout in this busy intersection. I recently moved to MN where roundabouts are being increasingly installed at both new and longstanding intersections. They are easy to use and allow motorists to quickly pass through the intersection without waiting for a traffic signal to change … or a traffic control officer to allow your line to move through the intersection.
I don’t understand the comments from people who don’t live on the island. Why do you care?
Minnesota is calling your name – leave our island alone!
First order of a round-about is what does YIELD mean. Once the people visiting from all 50 states plus the international crowd understand what YEILD means when approaching a round-about, it will function smoothly
Are the council members paying for the referendum out of their own pockets?