There are approximately 45 miles of roads and streets in St. Pete Beach, of which the city owns and maintains just over 41 miles of right-of-way. The remainder are under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The vast majority of the city streets serve residential neighborhoods, while most of commercial uses are served by the state routes.
The city contracts with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority for its share of the Beach Trolley system that serves all of the beach communities along the western edge of Pinellas County and interconnects with the larger county bus service operating on the mainland. In 2000, the city adopted its first bicycle routing plan that calls for the striping and signing of most major routes throughout the city to encourage bicycle friendly behavior by motorists. Parking, pedestrian access and traffic congestion during the winter months are all issues that concern local citizens. The following goals, objectives and policies have been adopted in an effort to address these issues:
GOAL 1
A safe, convenient and efficient motorized and non-motorized transportation system shall be available for all residents and visitors to the city.
Objective 1.1
In accordance with this Comprehensive Plan, as amended, the operational Level of Service (LOS) D peak hour shall be the minimum standard for all arterial and collector roads within the City.
Policy 1.1.1
The City shall review all proposed development or redevelopment for consistency with this element and impacts upon the adopted LOS standards. All development permits shall be issued only when it is documented that such development does not result a reduction in the level of service below the adopted level of service standards for the affected facility.
Policy 1.1.2
All new development and redevelopment proposals shall be reviewed under the City's Concurrency Management System Ordinance to ensure the level of service standards established in this element shall be maintained.
Policy 1.1.3
The City shall assess new development or redevelopment an equitable pro rata share of the costs to provide road-way improvements to serve the development or redevelopment, as established by the Pinellas County impact fee schedule.
Objective 1.2
Roadway rights-of-way shall be identified, reserved, or acquired.
Policy 1.2.1
The minimum setback requirements identified for all roadways shall be enforced through the land development regulations.
Policy 1.2.2
When acquisition of right-of-ways for all roadways is necessary, all attempts will be made to acquire such properties prior to exercising the power of eminent domain.
Objective 1.3
Through land development regulations the City will provide for safe, convenient and efficient motorized and non-motorized vehicle parking and bicycle and pedestrian ways.
Policy 1.3.1
The City shall enforce parking standards which provide for safe and convenient on-site traffic flow.
Policy 1.3.2
When feasible, the City shall require bicycle and pedestrian ways for connecting residential areas to recreation areas, schools, and shopping areas.
Policy 1.3.3
Bicycle parking areas at shopping and recreational areas shall be encouraged.
Policy 1.3.4
The City shall require crosswalks and sidewalks on roadways of high pedestrian usage.
Objective 1.4
The City's transportation system shall emphasize safety and aesthetics.
Policy 1.4.1
The City shall encourage the maintenance and landscaping of the existing roadway system.
Policy 1.4.2
The City shall enforce the requirements of the Sign Ordinance along roadways.
Policy 1.4.3
The City shall prepare annual accident frequency reports for all collector and arterial roads, which will be made available to appropriate County and State agencies.
Policy 1.4.4
The City, in cooperation with the County and State, shall control access points of driveways and roadways to the roadway system.
Objective 1.5
As an ongoing objective, the City shall encourage the utilization of a multi-modal transportation system as needed.
Policy 1.5.1
The City shall re-evaluate the need for public transportation from time to time.
Policy 1.5.2
The City shall continue to identify and encourage the use of bicycle and pedestrian ways.
Policy 1.5.3
The City shall review all proposed development and redevelopment site plans for the accommodation of bicycle and pedestrian traffic needs, when appropriate.
Objective 1.6
In accordance with this Comprehensive Plan, as amended, transportation planning shall be coordinated with the City's Future Land Use Plan, the FDOT 5-Year Transportation Plan, the Pinellas Area Transportation Study (PATS) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) 5-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and the plans of the neighboring jurisdictions.
Policy 1.6.1
The City shall periodically review the FDOT and the PATS MPO 5-Year Transportation Plans in order to update or modify this Element, as necessary.
Policy 1.6.2
The City shall review for compatibility with this Element, the transportation plans and programs of the neighboring municipalities and Pinellas County as they may be amended.
Policy 1.6.3
Amendments to this Transportation Element shall be supported by an appropriate transportation analysis.
Policy 1.6.4
The City shall continue efforts to work with FDOT and all appropriate agencies to alleviate traffic circulation problems.
Policy 1.6.5
City officials shall review the Future Land Use Map when planning roadway construction and improvements to ensure that roadways are designed to serve the needs of the appropriate future land uses.