Speed Humps Compromise Reached in Original Carrollwood

On Thursday, the Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to nix some of the speed humps in Original Carrollwood that have left residents divided.

Earlier this year, the board voted to bring on an independent arbitrator to listen to resident concerns, examine the efficacy of the traffic calming measures in Original Carrollwood and finally make a recommendation on how to resolve this issue. The process was modeled after the arbitration process that took place in Carrollwood Village.

The arbitrator recommended a total of 10 changes that totaled $168,100. These recommendations included the removal of six speed tables, three speed humps and two raised crosswalks.

Hillsborough County public works spokesman Steve Valdez hopes the approval will ease neighborhood tensions.

“I hope that the community can heal now," he said.

For years, the speed humps have pitted neighbor against neighbor.  Proponents of the speed humps voiced their concerns about speeding and the safety of small children.

Opponents of the speed humps thought the measures were excessive, visually unappealing and lowered emergency vehicle response times.

The board approved all but two of the recommendations. At the suggestion of Commissioner Ken Hagan, two speed cushions on Lake Carroll Way will be saved.

Citing a history of speeding and the presence of children on Carrollwood Drive, the raised crosswalks in front of Scotty Cooper park will also remain, but with some modifications.

With the removal of these two suggestions, the county will save about $60,000.