County to hold public hearing on Neptune Road improvements

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  • Map of Neptune Road improvement project.
    Map of Neptune Road improvement project.
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Osceola County has scheduled a public hearing regarding the proposed improvements to Neptune Road from Partin Settlement Road to U.S. Highway 192 in Osceola County Sept. 24, beginning at 6 p.m.

The proposed project improves the existing two-lane roadway to a four-lane roadway with bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The public hearing is being held to present information, and obtain public input.

 Osceola County is offering two ways for the community to participate in the public hearing. Those interested may join the Virtual Public Hearing (VPH) from a computer, tablet or cell phone. Or, they may participate in person by going to the Osceola Heritage Park Events Center, St. Cloud Room, 1901 Chief Osceola Trail, Kissimmee. All participants, regardless of platform they choose, will participate in the same live public hearing.

 A VPH is a free live presentation or webinar over the Internet. If you wish to participate in the VPH online from a computer, tablet, or mobile device, registration is requested (but only required if providing verbal comments over the phone) in advance by going to the project website (www.ImproveNeptuneRoad.com). Once registered, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the VPH online. Information about connecting to the VPH will also be posted online at the project website 72 hours in advance of the meeting. In order to provide verbal comments during the VPH, or for participants who are unable to view the webinar, they can participate in the meeting by calling: 407-205-0551, passcode: 301797.

 For those who choose to participate in person, the county requests advance registration to ensure all attendees are accommodated safely and according to social distancing guidelines. Per Osceola County ordinances, attendees will be required to wear face coverings while in public places and to practice social distancing and enhanced sanitation practices. Attendees who are not feeling well should not attend the in-person meeting. To register for the in-person option, contact Clif Tate, project manager, at 407-427-1628 or Clif.Tate@Kimley-Horn.com.

The VPH and in-person public hearing location open at 6 p.m. A formal PowerPoint presentation will begin promptly at 6:45 p.m. followed by a formal public comment period. If joining online, please provide adequate log-in time to view the presentation in its entirety.

 Anyone needing project or Public Hearing information can visit the project website at www.ImproveNeptuneRoad.com.

 The Type 2 Categorical Exclusion, along with other pertinent information developed by Osceola County, will be available for public review on the project website (www.ImproveNeptuneRoad.com) as well as through Sept. 24 at the Hart Memorial Central Library, 211 E. Dakin Ave., Kissimmee. These materials will also be available at the in-person hearing site from 6 p.m. until the end of the hearing.

 Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Anyone who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Clif Tate, project manager, at 407-427-1628 or Clif.Tate@Kimley-Horn.com, at least seven (7) days prior to the Public Hearing.

 Osceola County encourages the public to attend and values all comments regarding the project. Written comments can be sent to: Joshua DeVries, director of planning, Osceola County Department of Transportation and Transit, 1 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, or Joshua.DeVries@Osceola.org. Comments postmarked no later than Oct. 8 will become a part of the public record for this hearing.