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Design alone will cost $6 million, for 4.25 miles around congested intersection.
After hearing persistent pleas from residents to insist that development pay for itself, the Palm Coast City Council voted unanimously to award to CPH Inc. a nearly $6 million design contract for widening Old Kings Road South.
The 4.25-mile design, funded 90% by state grants and developers’ impact fees, will help in estimating a total cost for the project, which will widen Old Kings from two lanes to four, from Brighton Circle (near the Microtel Inn and Suites) south to Town Center Boulevard. It will also widen Town Center Boulevard from Old Kings Road heading underneath Interstate 95, to the intersection with Royal Palms Parkway.
Residents were critical of the project, arguing that the widening was necessitated by development, and that the state should pay more to help.
Two housing developments have already been approved on Old Kings Road within the stretch that is to be improved: The Legends at Palm Coast, a multifamily development; and Sabal Preserve at Town Center, phases 1 and 2. A third development, Kensington at Old Kings Village, which would build 113 affordable/senior living units, is in the application stage.
Mayor Mike Norris said the congestion at Old Kings and Town Center Boulevard was already “a pinch point.”
The vote to approve the design contract was nearly delayed to a future date, as City Councilwoman Theresa Pontieri challenged the city’s director of Stormwater and Engineering, Carl Cote, to be more transparent with the funding sources. Were the funds coming from taxpayers, or developers? she asked.
“Our residents should not pay for growth,” Pontieri said. “Future growth should pay for itself.”
Cote requested help from the Finance Department for information to save the agenda item, and he was then able to provide the estimate. At most, he said, 10% of the design cost would not be funded by developers. Pontieri was satisfied, but she and City Councilman Charles Gambaro both asked that the City Council receive regular updates on the progress of the design project.
“I know what everyone’s feeling,” Norris said, reminding the audience that not many months earlier, he was in their position, before the election. “I sat out there. I’ve seen the growth,” he said, “but we have to work to improve what we have. […] We are a new council, and we’re moving through, trying to fix all the problems.”
In other news from the Feb. 4 meeting:
Utility rate analysis
With state pressure, the city needs to address its wastewater treatment capacity. A study will be presented at the 6 p.m. Feb. 11 workshop to present to City Council the gaps that need to be addressed.
Humane Society
Several residents at the Feb. 4 meeting express their dissatisfaction with the Flagler Humane Society. A workshop is scheduled for 9 a.m. Feb. 25.
YMCA progress
Four of the five City Council members have had private meetings regarding efforts to bring a YMCA to Palm Coast. “We are doing everything we can to get a Y here,” Norris said.
Speeding in S section
After residents expressed concern about speeding on Sesame Boulevard and Smith Trail, Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston said she would ask staff to study the issue and bring results to a future City Council meeting.
Gender identity
In an ordinance to amend Fair Housing Ordinance, Pontieri took issue with the phrase “gender identity” being used in a definition. She asked for it be removed. The ordinance was passed unanimously.
FPL pole relocation
The City Council will pay Florida Power and Light about $230,000 as a deposit for a $1.3 million transmission pole relocation project on Old Kings Road North. It’s the city’s responsibility to pay, and it will help prepare the area for widening Old Kings North from two lanes to four.
Backyard chickens
In 2023, a group of residents asked the City Council to allow backyard chickens, but the council declined. The topic was brought up again at the Feb. 5 meeting. Pontieri asked city staff to include the issue on a future workshop for another discussion.
