Safety
Safety is our top priority as this area evolves. The combination of high traffic volumes, narrow residential streets, and heavy seasonal activity creates real hazards for residents and visitors. Thoughtful planning must ensure that any development or amenities added to the Seafood Shack area do not compromise the well-being of the community.
Key Safety Priorities Include
- Maintaining safe traffic flow both on Cortez road and surrounding residential streets
- Minimizing risk from vehicles towing boats on narrow, winding roads with limited visibility and few sidewalks
- Ensuring emergency vehicles can access all areas quickly and without obstruction
- Protecting pedestrians and cyclists, particularly in areas where sidewalks are missing
- Implementing design measures that reduce accident risk and enhance overall public safety
By placing safety at the forefront, we can support responsible growth that strengthens our community while protecting those that live, work and visit here.
Traffic Congestion
Traffic congestion is one of the most significant concerns for our community. Cortez Road West has been identified by FDOT as a highlight congested roadway with three of the top ten most dangerous segments for roadways in District 1. There are 11,344 new homes currently planned or under construction within 5 miles of the Seafood Shack property. A 500-room hotel is also approved for construction.
During season and especially on weekends and holidays, congestion on Cortez Road West leading to the beaches can be backed up for miles. When this occurs, drivers often detour through our neighborhood to try and jump the queue creating traffic gridlock on our residential roads.
Key Traffic Priorities include:
- Maintaining safe and manageable traffic flow on Cortez road and nearby local roads
- Reducing cut-through traffic in neighborhoods to protect pedestrians and residents
- Ensuring unobstructed emergency vehicle access
- Limiting high-impact traffic such as boat trailers on narrow winding streets
- Integrating any development with a traffic plan that minimizes congestion and maintains community safety
Adding vehicles towing boats to this traffic quagmire will make the situation untenable for everyone. In addition, our narrow, winding residential roads that include 90 degree turns, many of which are missing sidewalks, cannot safely accommodate vehicles towing boats.
The video below was taken from a vehicle exiting the residential area at 119th Street West and Cortez Road West. This is the only controlled intersection accessing the area. The video was taken at 5:00 PM on Saturday, November 22, 2025. The traffic back-up heading to the island on Cortez Road West is typical of the congestion this area experiences throughout the season, on holidays and on weekends.
The video below is on 126th Street West. This is the only road leading out of the area to a controlled intersection. The location where boat ramps are proposed is at the end of this residential street. At the east end of 126th Street West in the direction the car that took the video is moving, there is a sharp 90-degree blind turn onto Harbour Landings Drive. The heavy traffic driving in the opposite direction are motorists detouring off of Cortez Road West through our neighborhood trying to jump the traffic queue heading to the island. They will rejoin Cortez Road West at 127th Street West. This video was taken on Saturday, November 22nd at 5:00pm. The traffic shown is typical on weekends, nice weather days and holidays throughout the day when island bound traffic is heavy. Note how narrow 126th Street is and that it has no sidewalks. A vehicle towing a large boat would have to encroach on residential driveways and lawns, potentially causing property damage, to avoid vehicles traveling in the opposite direction. Two vehicles towing large boats traveling in opposite directions could not navigate this safely without one pulling over and stopping. Residents, many of whom are elderly, frequently walk, bike and jog along this street. This heavy traffic congestion, compounded by vehicles pulling boats, puts everyone’s safety at risk.
Noise
Protecting the peaceful character of Cortez is essential to the quality of life for residents and the experience for visitors. High intensity noise from intensive boat ramp use – such as trailer traffic, engine revving, and early morning or late night activity- would disrupt the calm, walkable, and bike friendly environment that makes this community special.
- Protecting the quiet waterfront character of the community
- Minimizing disturbances from early morning or late night operations
- Ensuring recreational and business activities coexist without creating excess noise
- Promoting lower-impact amenities that enhance community enjoyment without overwhelming the area.
Managing noise impact by adding lower impact amenities like dining, a size-appropriate marina, a bait & tackle shop or small stores and passive waterfront spaces – we can support growth that helps more of us enjoy the area while maintaining the sense of calm that residents and visitors value.
Environmental
As development discussions continue, it is essential to consider environmental impacts alongside traffic, noise, and community character. Thoughtful, low-impact design helps protect water quality, preserve natural habitats, and support the long-term health of our coastal ecosystem. Smart growth today ensures that future development enhances—not diminishes—the natural resources that make Cortez such a special place to live and visit.
- Restaurants need to be designed with stormwater management systems, grease interceptors, and water-efficient fixtures to reduce environmental impact.
- Part of our boat ramp concern is increased shoreline erosion, disturbing seagrass beds, and fuel, oil, and debris runoff into sensitive coastal waters.
- Proper lighting, landscaping with native plants, and green infrastructure can further reduce heat, runoff, and habitat disruption across the site.
Looking Towards Future Growth
The redevelopment of the Seafood Shack area is exciting and will provide additional resources to our community as well as invigorate local businesses. As we have shared with County Commissioners, the key to a successful project is thoughtful planning shaped by real community input. Because our area already experiences heavy seasonal traffic, we need to add features that enhance daily life rather than overwhelm our roads and residents.
There are many low-impact amenities that can strengthen local businesses, bring needed services to local residents and create a welcoming sense of community without adding major congestion or noise. Our Priorities page outlines the community-driven ideas aligned with this vision. With this goal in mind and considering community sentiment, we strongly oppose adding boat ramps in this area – please see out Boat Ramps page under The Issue in the menu bar for more information.
Cortez can pursue growth and improvements that make our community stronger without introducing changes that work against the overall good of our community. We look forward to our exciting future.