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Diegla AlluraL18 pd16 20t, DDear Commissioner Fiala, 14 October am enclosing a letter to address the proposal development at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Road and Livingston Road. I sent the information in a letter format instead of an email so you will better able to read it as a pace which suits you. I became more interested in Naples government during the Greater Naples Leadership course I completed last year. This letter is not too opinionated but more based on facts and easily obtained documentation. Many of my comments are based on my background and experience. It would be a good informative experience to visit the area of interest (mainly the intersection). You will notice the congestion especially in the mornings (7:00 - 8:00 AM) now and congestion throughout the day during the season. If it is not congestion, speed is a factor of 50mph - 65mph at times. Please call if you need clarification or have questions. Thank you for your consideration of my conclusions. Tim Diegel MD, (retired USAF, COL,CFS) timdiegel@Mac.Com 952-239-0004 The Commissioners of Collier County have the responsibility to be educated in a-111 issues when important decisions are being considered. One upcoming decision is in regard to the Stock Company for the most dense rental development in this area of North Naples. There have been discussions among the leaders of Collier County recently to determine where more density will occur in Collier County and exactly how dense it should be without decreasing the beauty, the environment, and the quality of life of the present residents. The residents adjacent and nearby to the proposed development have purchased their homes due to the high quality of life that existed with a good traffic safety record, a healthy environment of minimal air pollution and in close proximity to three schools which incidentally have almost reached their maximum enrollment. I wish to discuss significant and important negatives that are related to the proposed development at the Livingston and Veterans Memorial intersection because of the unique features at this intersection and Livingston Road itself. There is no other intersection in Naples and probably not in Collier County that would be as affected by this development in so many ways. Many have not even been considered by the developers nor my their consultants who have given limited information to the county. The most important f le:///.fi le/id=6571367.8598229560 information is in regard to the traffic safety, increase in air pollution and the related documented health issues for the present nearby residents.The issues to consider include the following: 1. The excessive density per acre and the resultant increase in cars and traffic all of which would be congested onto the one road of Livingston. 2. The decrease in our overall quality of life as we now enjoy, including but but not limited to minimal noise and light pollution, an enjoyable wildlife environment with birds nesting in our lakes, children walking to their schools, etc. The present residents in Barrington Cove and nearby neighborhoods assumed that there would be these features and other characteristics throughout the future years. 3. We will experience an increase in health risks from the traffic air pollution. This affects children and pregnant women substantially in lung issues. There is evidence that the pollution even causes neurological learning problems in young developing brains. (documents available). 4. In addition there will be increase risks in crashes at the left turn lane resulting in disability and deaths (all fi le:///.fi le/id=6571367.8598229560 documentation is available). This is due to the unique features of Livingston Road that will be described. was not able to find the required number of parking spaces per apartment unit for the zoning of new construction in the city of Naples. I did, however, find the "new" zoning requirements of 2010 for the number of parking spaces required for developments in Jacksonville, FL. At that time the statistics showed that 16% of its residents did not drive.This was in 2010 before the population surge. For a one bedroom apartment, 1.75 parking spaces were required. This passes the "logical test" since most couples have two cars but some of these units would be rented by one person. As mentioned, some owners/renters don't drive but are very few in an apartment complex. The number also probably includes guest parking. Based on this logical ratio, the proposed development above based on the same ratio and assuming 420 only 1 bedroom units, there must be 735 spaces. I didn't count the number of parking spaces on the development drawing but I understand that there is a 3 level parking ramp for the cars proposed. This requested structure confirms the huge need for the many cars that will add to the already "often congested" Livingston road in the neighborhood. f le:///.fi le/id=6571367.8598229560 Renters are more apt to use bicycles for their commute because they rent near their place of employment. As you know, Florida has the highest rate in the nation of bicycle accidents and fatalities. This development will add to these statistics due to the unique and unsafe features of this intersection which will be described. Most likely there will be an increase in motorcycles also for the same reasons. This increase will add not only to the number of accidents but also to the noise pollution at all hours. The intersection bordering the proposed development is very unique. This is because Veterans Memorial Road doesn't go anywhere east or west to other dissipating roads. Both ends are dead ends.Therefore all traffic onto or off of Veterans will go either North or South on Livingston alone for at least 2+ miles each way before this traffic is dissipated to an east or west road. Veterans Memorial will not absorb traffic or bring it elsewhere. Veterans Memorial may be completed to the West in years or decades in the future. We should all be concerned regarding the significant increase in accidents that will occur at the left turn lane to go West on Veterans Memorial from the drivers coming North on Livingston. Many U turns will increase due to this need. There are many other U turns along Livingston which will be affected also. Few drivers fi le:///.fi le/id=6571367.8598229560 know the Florida law that states - "after a driver makes a left hand turn the driver must be in the far left hand lane in that road going in the opposite direction". This of course is the "fast lane" of the new direction traffic flow. This intersection already causes risks by observing the present skid marks in both directions. The proposed development is half way between Bonita Beach Road and Immokalee Road. This is a 4 mile stretch between these roads on Livingston Road. A driver has to travel 2 miles either way to find an east/ west road. The congested traffic will be stopped longer during the season at the three traffic lights ( Immokolee, Bonita Beach and Livingston) adding to the air pollution which increases with stopped traffic. This problem not only effects the quality of life for all residents along the 4 mile stretch with extra time needed to reach a destination in either direction, with aggravation and ? road rage, increase in safety issues but most importantly health issues. There is much research concerning traffic induced health issues especially in children (who are most susceptible), prenatal and pregnant women. There are three schools along this 4 mile road but actually all are about a mile from the proposed development. Many kids will be at an increase risk. The added traffic congestion from the extra hundreds of cars from this file:///.fi le/id=6571367.8598229560 420 unit development can even now be determined with calculated risks. The available "traffic analysis" has no mention of the induced health risks from this proposal development or safety issues. No mention was made regarding the increase in air pollution, the risks of the left hand turn or the uniqueness of Livingston. Their assessment is inadequate in many ways due to the omission of important issues. Each resident in the this section of Livingston and further away will experience these air pollution risks. Traffic Air Pollution is more concentrated in slow stop and go traffic moving at 45 to 65 miles per hour compared to freeway driving. It increases in stopped traffic. The average speed on Livingston is probably 50 to 55 mph.This is one way how the increase in traffic will effect our air quality. (documentation is available). There is much research in Europe on traffic air pollution. Those cities are more congested compared to many of the US cities and the governments are very concerned. Diesel engines (which give out the worse pollution) are now banned in many large cities in Europe.Traffic air pollution effects pregnancy and the developing lungs of young children causing asthma and breathing issues. In addition neurological and learning problems have been related to traffic air pollution (documentation available). Much of this research is file:///.fi le/id=6571367.8598229560 found in European studies that I have read. Anyone can search the Web to fine these and other studies. I'm sure that the TR Transportation Consultants are expert statisticians and very knowledgeable but one has to be cautious and not be overly impressed by their 69 page analysis. I assume that they were hired by the developers. Their conclusions stated that during rush hour in the morning 104 cars will exit onto Livingston and during rush hour in the afternoon 107 cars will enter off of Veterans Memorial. Of particular note on page 105 it was documented that the analysis was performed "after school started". The traffic analysis was done at a time when the traffic had cleared! This analysis was poorly done. It concentrated on what Naples required and they missed the larger points or ignored them. Conclusions based on inadequate data are not valid. There is usually a backup now during the school year on the left turn lane onto Veterans Memorial by parents and buses. Parents also drop their kids off at the two schools south of the intersection being discussed. The mornings and afternoons are busy in this neighborhood! The statements in the traffic analysis create a credibility issue with their study since the left turn issue and the schools and safety and health issues were not even identified. Who else has the responsibility to give this needed information to the county? The morning time period and also the file:///.fi le/id=6571367.8598229560 afternoon time period that are so congested with the other two schools off Livingston Road are within a mile from the proposed development. In summary of my first issue, the Jacksonville zoning policy gives the logical ratio of cars per unit (1.75) and this is not even close to the numbers assumed by the developers. The number of required spaces is substantial since a parking ramp would be needed and proposed. How many car spaces are needed by the Naples' zoning laws? This number did not seem to be available in the 69 page report. The out/in numbers noted above make no logical sense. These numbers don't pass the "smell test!" These facts are obvious. One would really wonder about the future traffic information statistics given in the report that are based on "yet to be proven" information. The density, the design of the exit on Livingston, the unique features of the 4 mile stretch of Livingston, and the zoning request to include renters create multiple unrelated problems. All prove that this development does not belong here. It should not be consistent with how the future of Collier County's decisions should be made. My second issue involves the left hand turn for drivers coming North on Livingston and making a left hand turn west onto Veterans Memorial. There are many other f le:///.fi le/id=6571367.8598229560 left hand turn lanes on this 4 mile stretch. Parents make this left hand turn as mentioned above daily before classes start and later after school. School buses also make this turn in the mornings. They take up extra space on the left turn lane. The long length of the buses limits the number of cars that can stay in that turn lane. Some cars have to wait in a backup line into the adjacent active road lane. This left hand turn lane will also be used excessively due by the proposed development because the only exit from the development is onto Livingston. For those that wish to go South toward Naples, the drivers will have to make a left hand turn at this intersection of Veterans Memorial and Livingston. A left hand turn is where most crashes occur nationally as documented below. What percentage of drivers go South? This important statistic was not noted as far as I could tell in the 69 page report. If one assumes that 50% of the drivers in the proposed will go South toward Naples, then there would be a substantial number, especially in the morning for school drop-offs and during rush hour turning left. There is already a existing backup - also not mentioned in the report. The increase from the excessive number of additional cars is a disaster waiting to happen due to all these issues. It would be impossible to fix anything after the fact by changing the road. Prevent the obvious now by denying the development proposal. fi le:///.fi le/id=6571367.8598229560 There is no question that this left turn traffic will increase substantially due to the proposed development design by having the only exit onto Livingston. There are three references pertinent to left hand turns and their safety issues which is a cause of 30% to more than 50% of crashes nationally based on various studies. My first reference is from 2017 in an issue of International Journal of Transportation Science and Technology's article: Pedestrian safety under permissive left -turn signal control. The article discusses the risk of pedestrian injuries and death. It was shown that the volume of left -turn lanes is directly related to these statistics. The numbers of injuries and deaths will will increase significantly from the density of the development! The drivers are found to be more aggressive in such situations with pedestrians. This study was performed in a simulator to obtain important information. There is increase risk with a longer distance walk such as with 4 lanes or more across intersections. Our intersection has 6 lanes and seven going North with the lefthand lane included. There probably will surely be an increase in crashes from the new development with more people walking from the development based on predictable studies. fi le:///.fi le/id=6571367.8598229560 The second article was in the Claims Journal Magazine: Are Left Turns a Deadly Maneuver? This article states "that left turns are at the top of the list as being the most challenging and dangerous driving maneuvers". The National Highway Traffic Safety report stated that about half of crashes in the US involve left turns. The risk increases with rain, headlight glare, distraction by cell phones, confusion with the blinking yellow arrow, the speed of the oncoming traffic and the increase in speeding to make the light, being complacent or new at the intersection, misjudging distances especially in older drivers with poor vision, etc. With new residents constantly moving in and out of rental units, there is a learning curve in regard to skill needed with this particular left hand turn. In 2004 UPS eliminated left turns for it's drivers. FedX also has such restrictions due to the risk. Trucks can't speed up quickly after the turn. The third article was a 267 page dissertation at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. The candidate who performed the research, diagrams, photography, and statistics was Kirolos Haleem. On page 18, paragraph 4 he quoted that the 1.72 million crossing path crashes, 75% were from left turns and of those: 41.6% were at signalized intersections 36.3% when a stop sign was present file:///.fi le/id=6571367.8598229560 22.1 % at an intersection with no controls (this is a surprising statistic). It won't help at our intersection by placing a red arrow. Livingston Road is known as a "Racetrack" due to commuters using this road in lieu of the other close North/South roads of 75 and 41. Livingston is a favorite due to having only one traffic light within the four mile stretch. This one light is at the intersection of Livingston and Veterans Memorial where the proposed development is being considered. Drivers don't want to stop and slow their commute time down. The human visual system cannot determine if an oncoming vehicle is going 60mph or 45 mph even with 20/20 acuity. This is a setup for a crash if a driver is making a lefthand turn in front of the oncoming traffic. Add other causative factors such as the oncoming driver running a red light, the turning driver is too slow to speed up, distraction, poor vision etc. and the result is a terrible crash. What should be done: 1. Do not approve the zoning change that include a high density of renters in this area. According to the studies, it would be valid and reasonable to expect an increase in auto and pedestrian accidents. There are many reasons for this conclusion. 2. Do not approve the zoning for an excessive amount of units per acre. There is no fi le:///.fi le/id=6571367.8598229560 excess room on any of the these roads for additional cars especially on Livingston Road. The less residents, the less accidents at the left turn lane. Obviously the more cars - the more air pollution effecting every resident's health. Believe the logical parking space per unit ratio as stated in Jacksonville of 1.75 cars per unit. A reasonable person would agree with this math and not with the figure of 105+/ - cars leaving and entering during the rush hours as stated by the consultants. Naples has been awarded last year with first and second place awards in being either the happiest, the most well-being or the healthiest city in the entire country. The commissioners should make decisions that sustain the work that previous officials have worked so hard in achieving for the present status. There is a need and pressure for an increase in rental housing for Naples' workforce and others. Adding it to the area of Veterans Memorial and Livingston Road will create more problems with safety at the intersection and serious health issues related to the added air pollution. In summary, due to the significant in increase in traffic from such a high density development on a busy north/ south 4 mile road with no east/west exits off the road, f le:///.fi le/id=6571367.8598229560 safety issues involving increase crashes, air pollution, noise and light pollution, proximity to three schools, increase in bicycle and motorcycle traffic, the unique features of Livingston Road - this development should not be approved for such a high density population for the above reasons. Drivers and pedestrians are killed on the Naples roads now. Let's prevent more from happening due to the problems of this specific development. Thank you for your consideration Tim Diegel MD, 14 OCT 2018 (USAF, Ret,COL,CFS) Barrington Cove Timdiegel@mac.Com file:///.fi le/id=6571367.8598229560