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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993_04_13 Traffic Committee Minutes RAC, 5 �® 1993 PAlk,4 Toty�A•pic070 MAMA CN RI( O N p NECK Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Town of Mamaroneck Traffic Committee held Tuesday, April 13, 1993 in the Court Roam of the Town Center, 740 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, N.Y. Present: David Lobl, Chairman Richard Mari Pincus Leitner Camille Odierna Frank Vozza Nancy Angiulo Absent: Dierdere Black Also Present: Lieutenant Anderson, Police Department, Stephen Altieri, Administrator, Town of Mamaroneck Call to Order: The Chairman called the meeting to order at 8:05 P.M. Approval of Minutes: On motion of David Lobl, approval of the minutes was postponed until later in the meeting to provide the Committee an opportunity to read them. Murray Avenue at Edgewood Avenue and Echo Lane: The Chairman described the issues involving this intersection which residents had requested be reviewed and the various proposals. He cited a letter, dated February 16, 1993 from the Westchester County Department of Public Works, Director of Traffic Engineering and Highway Safety, which reiterated the County's recommendation to convert a portion of Hillside Avenue (Echo Lane) to a one-way street. The matter had been placed on the April agenda to provide an opportunity for concerned local residents to express their views. Lt. Anderson using an over-head projector provided an explanation with a diagram of the proposed one-way street. The Chairman invited those residents who were present to speak to the issue. -2- Richard Martin 70 Echo Lane would opt for a Stop sign which he felt would be a deterrent to fast traffic coming south on Murray. He cited a personal near miss accident as he walked from the Train Station. Mr. Lobl explained the County was concerned with traffic exiting Echo Lane, the original purpose of the study, not with traffic coming south on Murray Avenue. Mr. Vozza questioned the liability/accountability of the County/Town relative to Murray Avenue regarding Stop signs and the traffic flow. Mr. Lobl reported that the County report signed by Mr. Cole indicated that 120 vehicles per day crossed the intersection. Jillian Martin, 70 Echo stated she felt the report was unrealistic, considered the intersection dangerous, and personally avoids it. She also stated that she and the residents, while not happy with the One Way recommendation, are less emotional than when it was originally suggested. She suggested additional research be made regarding the configuration of the triangle and its impact on the continuing traffic problem. Several residents suggested that the stop sign at Maple Hill/MUrray be relocated farther south. Lt. Anderson explained that the State based its recommendation on a Formula (# of cars) . He added that Mr. Cole did not favor moving the "Stop" sign from Maple Hill (installed in 1967 after a child was killed) . He did not favor an additional Stop sign because it would back-up traffic. Lt. Anderson added there has been only one accident in 5 years. He also stated that to move the pedestrian crossing from Maple Hill to further down on hurray would make it too wide a crossing. Albert Codino, Leafy Lane suggested moving the Stop sign fran Maple Hill. He asked for a clarification on the crossing for children from Murray Avenue School and/or John and Paul. He felt a Stop sign at Murray would slow traffic. Mr. Lobl added that to move the Maple Hill Stop sign would make it unfamiliar to those who use it. He explained that John and Paul's School is open. Mr. Lobl and Mr. Mari both stated that the purpose of this investigation was to resolve an existing dangerous traffic problem not to consider moving the Stop sign at Maple Hill. Walter Zullig, 79 Echo Lane recommended a Stop sign at Murray in addition to the Maple Hill sign citing same personal incidents. A discussion of a four way stop sign ensued. Bill Maksudian of 97 Murray Avenue opposed a four way stop sign. Mr. Mari said that wile originally he felt a Stop sign would be beneficial, he now endorsed the One Way on Echo. -3- Mr. Leitner felt the curve is the problem and that a second Stop sign would be ignored. Mrs. Odierna recommended the One Way on Echo for a trial period. Mr. Vozza expressed same concerns with the One Way proposal. Miss Angiulo favored the One Way recommendation, stating it eliminates one existing traffic flow into the intersection. She felt an additional Stop sign would be ignored and agreed with the trial period suggested by Mrs. Odierna. Mr. Lobl suggested a re-assessment in six months. Mr. Zullig inquired as to the criteria determining the success or failure of the new One Way Mr. Lobl stated that feed-back fran the community to revisit the issue would help define the parameters of future reconsideration. Mr. Leitner moved that the County's recommendation to convert a portion of Hillside Avenue (Echo Lane) to a One-Way street be adopted on a trial basis (3 to 6 months) . Mr. Odierna seconded the motion. Mr. Lobl, Mr. Mari, Mr. Leitner, Mrs. Odierna and Miss Angiulo voted in favor. Mr. Vozza abstained. Mr. Lobl stated the matter would be put on the agenda of the Town Board of Mamaroneck at a future meeting to which the people of the community would be invited to attend. Mr. Lobl stated the Committee was in receipt of a letter (March 4, 1993) fran Mr. John Augsburger recording a personal accident at Rochelle Rd. and No. Chatsworth Avenue. Mr. Lobl deferred the matter inasmuch as Mr. Augsburger was not present. Parking at 1299 Palmer Avenue Mr. Lobl gave a brief background of the new (April 1, 1993) policy on overnight parking and exemptions procedures. Lt. Anderson briefly explained the reasons for the new policy which requires in person permit request, which modified the prior procedure of telephone permission , swamping of the switchboard between 9-12 Midnight caused by 35-60 calls nightly, in addition to a new (May 1993) E 911 program were the major factors in instituting the new policy. Lt. Anderson noted that tracking the requests under the new regulation has revealed 57 requests vs. 300 in the pas for the eight day time period since its inception with 32 repeaters. -4- Susan Gerardi, 1299 Palmer, wrote to the Committee requesting an exemption for the building. She voiced this again in person. She requested daily requests be waived for weekends to be replaced with a blanket 3 day permit for her guests, which she indicated were on-going. She pointed out she has a legal paid space for herself. Eleanor Palwick (sp) of 1299 Palmer requested an extension on a decision by the Committee until the Board of 1299 could meet. Lt. Anderson had spoken with the building superintendent, who said there are no available on-site parking spaces. Lt. Anderson indicated paid over-night parking was available at the R.R. station for $100 per year. Miss Gerardi said it was two blocks away and not applicable during the day. Ann Stuart, 1251 Palmer asked why the matter was on the agenda. Mr. Lobl explained it was carried over fran the March meeting, and had been requested by the Police Dept., in that Michael Weiss, of 1232 Palmer Avenue, Howell Park Association, stated they are not in favor of overnight parking on Palmer Avenue. Sand, of 1241 Palmer Avenue, agreed, stating the safety and security factors of exiting/entering private driveways and unfamiliar parked cars in front of private residences. Mr. Vozza asked for a clarification on "building exemption". Mr. Lobl explained. Miss Gerardi asked the procedures for requesting a building exemption. Mr. Lobl said it would require an amendment to the existing 1970 Law and would be a long process. He indicated the Police Dept. would be tracking requests to determine if any abuse of permit requests existed. Miss Gerardi asked for a clarification of "abuse". Mr. Mari gave an explanation of the law now in effect with the reasons for its inception. Mr. Lobl stated that Miss Gerardi's letter will be considered as feedback in conjunction with the Police review to be made in June for any modifications as announced by Lt. Anderson. He felt that he appreciated the different views which had been aired, and that after the review there would be a better picture of the situation. -5- Rochelle Road at North Chatsworth Avenue Mr. Lobl requested dialogue from the Committee members re: the Rochelle Rd. letter. Miss Angiulo agreed that Mr. Augsburg's complaints were legitimate. Mr. Altieri felt a crosswalk would give a false sense of security. Mr. Lobl recommended improving the street lighting. A motion was made to have a Stop sign installed on Rochelle Rd. at No. Chatsworth Avenue, which was seconded, and carried unanimously. Traffic Committee reocmmends that the Highway Deparent review the lighting and the need for additional lighting at Rochelle Rd. and No. Chatsworth Avenue. Approval of Minutes On motion of David Lobl, the minutes of the Traffic Committee Meeting held March 9, 1993 were approved with the following correction: under the heading Overnight Parking Exemptions, the word Mrs. on the twelfth line is amended to read Mr. Mr. Altieri explained that under the heading New Business the signs for Rockland Avenue were being prepared, and the four-way stop signs on Vine Road were installed. New Business Miss Angiulo asked when the signs for Law 1993 affecting Old Jefferson Street and No. Chatsworth Avenue would be in place. He explained the sign maker was working on it, and was backed up at the present time. Mr. Lobl asked for the 1993 Traffic Committee Meeting schedule be amended to accommodate the Recording Secretary. The new schedule is: May 4 October 19 June 15 November 16 September 14 December 7 Mr. Mari cited an existing parking situation problem affecting the driveway of th4e first house on Burton Road off Palmer Avenue and recommended installation of a sign "No Parking Between Signs", indicating the existing law states no parking three fee on either side of a driveway. Mr. Altieri requested putting it on the ay agenda to enable research by the Highway Department. The meeting adjourned at 10:05 P.M.