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She thought the Commission might be able to short-circuit a lot of the pain that is being <br />caused the people. <br />Vice Chairman Macht thought widening US#1 in Sebastian was not needed. <br />Commissioner Stanbridge reported that the people of Sebastian had planned their <br />fishing village theme and believed that 64aning US# 1 would destroy that as well as their <br />small businesses and historical resources, which they are counting on for the heritage tourism <br />in the ecotourism industry. <br />MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Adams, SECONDED <br />BY Commissioner Ginn, to have MPO look at the issue of <br />widening US#1 in Sebastian and make a recommendation to <br />DOT as to the disposition of that effort. <br />Commissioner Ginn was supportive and recalled that the issue had already been <br />addressed by the MPO, and MPO had taken a stand against widening US#1. <br />Community Development Director Bob Keating, who also serves as MPO staff <br />director, confirmed that the issue has been addressed by MPO and tomorrow's meeting <br />would be another good opportunity to address it. He explained the process which DOT goes <br />through in roadway planning and pre -planning, which takes many years. DOT is now doing <br />the pre -planning study, which is really a "fatal -flaw -type" of study where they first look to <br />determine if there is a need to do the project, and, second, determine if there are some <br />reasons that it cannot go forward. The MPO long-range plan, identified by the year 2020, <br />looks like there could be a need for additional lanes on US# 1, that is, there could be <br />congestion by that time. DOT is looking at that in more detail. The latest information from <br />DOT is that it might not be needed by that time. One of the things they will be looking at <br />is alternatives. It is important to remember that there is a lot more development (and traffic) <br />which will occur in Sebastian, but the question is will the widening be absolutely necessary. <br />Right now it looks like it might not be; it could be 10 years later. <br />It seemed to Commissioner Adams that the people of Sebastian think they are not <br />being listened to, that this project is being pushed without taking into consideration how the <br />people feel. She wanted to know if there is a way to stop it now and take another look in 10 <br />years. <br />Director Keating stated there was. He thought DOT and the County had both stressed <br />December 8, 1998 <br />37 <br />BOOK 107 PAGE <br />