Martin County MPO Approves $55K US 1 Study, Sidesteps Sidewalk Fight

A federal grant that would put sidewalks along two streets near Jensen Beach Elementary School nearly died Tuesday in the Martin County Metropolitan Planning Organization boardroom — killed not by traffic engineers or budget constraints, but by a stack of petitions from 26 neighbors who don't want the pavement.

Commissioner Sean Reid arrived at the meeting prepared to rescind the board's prior approval of the $26,975 Safe Routes to School grant application, citing the neighborhood opposition. The project, which targets Rose Tree and Lake Drive, would serve roughly 45 students — five who walk directly to school and 40 who walk to bus stops, according to public documents. Frank Frangelo of the Martin County School District told commissioners the sidewalks are a student safety necessity.

Reid never made a formal motion. Facing unanimous opposition from both the Citizens Advisory Committee and the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and a pointed warning from committee representative Bonnie Moser — "It would be such a shame if we had advocated for this safety improvement and then rescinded it and risked a child coming into harm's way" — he stood down. The grant application moves forward through the federal approval process.

The board unanimously approved a separate $55,000 study of the U.S. 1 corridor between Southwest Joan Jefferson Way and Southeast Lillian Court, a stretch officials have identified as too congested to widen and too important to ignore. The study will examine traffic signal timing, bicycle safety improvements, and alternative transportation options.

E-bike enforcement also dominated the meeting, with Lt. Roscoe of the Martin County Sheriff's Office describing a surge in dangerous riding — particularly among juveniles — that has generated daily complaints to local agencies. Deputies have deployed weekend patrols and drone surveillance in response, towing six illegal e-motorcycles in a single enforcement weekend. Riders who lose their bikes pay a minimum of $150 to get them back. Roscoe told the board that deputies recently served a warrant on a juvenile who had posted Instagram videos of himself doing wheelies on busy roads.

A resident read into the public record a letter from Florida East Coast Railway stating the railroad does not support a proposed Stuart station, citing bridge safety concerns. Officials said

The board unanimously approved the final 2027-2028 Unified Planning Work Program and a $26,975 transportation disadvantaged planning grant.

Commissioners directed staff to review the MPO's bylaws on vote rescission procedures, with the matter expected to return at the next scheduled meeting.

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