Residents' efforts to prevent speed limits from increasing on some roads in Manatee County has paid off.

This week, county commissioners considered an ordinance to change the speed limit on 12 different roads in the area.

Engineers who had conducted a study said the changes were needed to keep up with the growth and keep drivers traveling at a good pace.

Dozens of concerned residents spoke out at the commission meeting on Tuesday, as the changes were discussed.

One of the roads facing an increased speed limit was Whitfield Avenue.

A large group of Palm Aire residents who use this road daily came to the meeting.

All wore red and tried to convince commissioners to not make the change from 30 mph to 40 on Whitfield Avenue from Lockwood Ridge Road to University Parkway.

“My position is that I am strongly opposed to increasing the speed limit,” Palm Aire resident Bob Bennett said.  “Faster is not safer.”

“I never received so many e-mails and phone calls from people that are concerned than from Palm Aire,” commissioner Vanessa Baugh said.   

The county leaders listened and agreed to keep the speed limit at 30 mph.

They made the same decision about some other roads in the Lakewood Ranch area, including Lorraine Road and University Parkway.

“We are a big, growing area out east and we need to leave Lakewood Ranch Boulevard as it is,” Baugh said.  “If we don’t, I think in the next year or two, I’m going to be looking back at you saying we need to slow it back down.  It’s too fast.”

The county will be putting up new signs to reflect the speed limits soon.

Engineers also proposed banning the use of golf carts on three roads.

It was recommended golf carts no longer be allowed to share the road with cars on Whitfield Avenue in Palm Aire, El Conquistador Parkway and Tara Boulevard.

Commissioners did not vote for the ordinance and decided to set the issue aside.

Below are the voted on speed limits:

  • Golf Course Road from Fort Hamer Road to Rye Road – Change to a consistent 40 mph
  • Chin Road from U.S. 301 to Old Tampa Road – Increase to 40 mph
  • Lockwood Ridge Road from State Road 70 to University Parkway - 40 mph
  • Lorraine Road from State Road 70 to University Parkway: Keep at 35 mph
  • Lakewood Ranch Boulevard from University Parkway to State Road 70: Keep at 35 mph
  • University Parkway from Interstate 75 to Lorraine Road: Keep at 45 mph
  • Whitfield Avenue from Lockwood Ridge Road to University Parkway: Keep at 30 mph
  • Honore Avenue from Lockwood Ridge to Magnolia Ridge Place and from north of Seven Oaks Drive to University Parkway, 40 mph
  • 63rd Avenue East from U.S. 301 to Lockwood Ridge Road - 40 mph
  • 75th Street West from Manatee Avenue West to 53rd Avenue West - Keep speed limit at 40 mph and 45 mph between Manatee Avenue and Cortez Road and 50 mph between Cortez Road to 53rd Avenue West
  • El Conquistador Parkway from 53rd Avenue West to Legends Boulevard - 40 mph
  • 28th Avenue East from U.S. 301 to 21st Street East - 30 mph