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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989_06_20 Traffic Committee Minutes M1 MINUTES OF A REGULAR FETING OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK TRAFFIC COMMITTEE HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1989 IN THE SENIOR CENTER AT THE TOWN CENTER, 740 WEST BOSTON POST ROAD, MAMARONECK, NEW YORK. PRESENT: Martin Zavell, Chairman Richard Mari Anthony Math Dennis Kenny Kathleen Tracy O'Flinn Edward F.X. Ryan. EXCUSED: Leslie Schlom ALSO PRESENT: Steve Chapin, Liaison from the Town Board Steven Altieri, Town Administrator Arthur Dallas, Police Commissioner Eric Zaidins, Town Attorney Pat DiCioccio, Town Clerk The Chairman called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m.. He explained the purpose of this committee to those in attendance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On a motion from Mr. Mari, seconded by Mr. Kenny, the minutes of May 8, 1989 were approved with the following corrections: On page one, under Sunday Parking-Both Sides of Maple Hill Dr. , spelling of the resident's names should be as follows: Mr. John Hannaway and Mr. Kenneth Padgett. INTERSECTION MURRAY AVE/MYRTLE BLVD./N. CHATSWORTH AVE. The chairman turned the floor over to Mrs. O'Flinn who has met with Alan Davis, the Town traffic consultant and Lt. Anderson of the Police Dept. . Mrs. O'Flinn stated that after timing the sequence of lights with a stop watch, they found the wait on Murray Ave. to be excessive. Mr. Davis has suggested that traffic counts be done to help determine where the heaviest flow of traffic is at different times of the day. They discussed allowing a right turn on red at Murray Ave. and a right turn on red from N. Chatsworth Ave. traveling towards the Village. Mr. Ralph Engel, a resident, stated that he agreed with all the suggestions made, but is concerned with the safety of allowing a right hand turn on red from the left lane on Murray Ave. Steve Chapin asked why the traffic consultant has changed his mind after feeling that a right turn on red at this intersection would be dangerous and cause stacking or gridlock in the intersection. He is also concerned with two lanes of traffic turning right on red from Murray Ave. onto Myrtle Blvd. Mr. Ryan stated that the traffic consultant felt this was dangerous when there was a full pedestrian phase at the intersection. Commissioner Dallas feels that if an accident occurs at this point, the driver in the left lane making a right turn would be found in the wrong. After discussion regarding the Town's liability if an accident occured, it was agreed that the Town Attorney along with Mr. Altieri and Mr. Davis will investigate this further. Town of Mamaroneck Traffic Committee June 20, 1989 Page 2 INTERSECTION MURRAY AVE./MYRTLE BLVD./N. CHATSWORTH AVE. (cont) On a motion from Mrs. O'Flinn, seconded by Mr. Zavell and carried unanimously, the following recommendation was made to the Town Board: A right turn on red be permitted at the intersection of Murray Ave., Myrtle Blvd. and N. Chatsworth Ave. in the following manner: Southbound traffic on Murray Ave. turning right onto Myrtle Blvd. , Southbound traffic on Myrtle Blvd. turning right northbound onto N. Chatsworth Ave. for a trial basis of six months. SUNDAY PARKING - MAPLE HILL DRIVE Mrs. O'Flinn read from the minutes regarding this topic. Commissioner Dallas read the following statement from the Police Department: The Police Department has concluded several surveys of the Maple Hill Dr. location during Sunday worship hours and is of the opinion that the existing parking ban ordinance may be vacated without creating a safety hazard or impeding traffic flow in the vicinity of Weaver Street. On a motion from Mr. Math, seconded by Mr. Kenny and carried by a five to one vote, the following recommendation was made to the Town Board: The Traffic Committee supports the Police Department's recommendation to vacate the existing parking ban ordinance. The vote was as follows: Math-aye, Kenny-aye, O'Flinn-aye, Ryan-aye, Zavell-aye, Mari-nay based on difficulty of residents exiting and entering driveways. PAVEMENT MARKINGS/SPECIAL SIGNAGE - ROCKLAND AVE. Mr. & Mrs. Tony Loucas of 138 Rockland Ave. sent a letter and appeared before the committee to express their concerns regarding traffic speed over the crest in the hill on Rockland Ave. They further stated that this has been brought before the committee previously and HIDDEN DRIVEWAY signs were installed. They would like to see traffic slowed on either side of the crest in the hill. Commissioner Dallas stated that posted speed zones have proven to be meaningless. Motorists tend to traverse the area at the same speed. He suggested that he will again put this area on his agenda for selective enforcement. Mr. Chapin requested selective enforcement be done twice a month to start. The Commissioner agreed. The residents requested pavement markings stating SLOW on either side of the crest of the hill. Mrs O'Flinn stated that she feels the selective enforcement will help the situation. She stated that she would not suggest further action until we see how the selective enforcement helps. Mr. Math agrees with selective enforcement and does not oppose the road markings. After discussion, the committee recommended selective enforcement for this area unanimously and Mr. Kenny, Mr. Math, Mr. Ryan and Mr. Mari further recommended street painting the word SLOW in reflective paint on either side of Town of Mamaroneck Traffic Committee ' June 20, 1989 Page 3 PAVEMENT MARKINGS/SPECIAL SIGNAGE - ROCKLAND AVE.(cont. ) the hill in this area. Mr. Zavell and Mrs. O'Flinn disagree with the pavement markings. ON STREET PARKING PERMITS Mr. Zavell turned the floor over to Mr. Ryan who chairs the sub-committee of overnight parking permits. Mr. Ryan explained the purpose of the sub- committee and gave some background stating that the committee's belief is that the reason for the ordinance is esthetic. During discussion, Mr. Math asked if the problem might arise of more and more residents applying for overnight parking. The Town Clerk asked several questions which pertained to the issuing of permits which would be done by her office. The question of the legality of issuing permits to some residents and denying them to others arose. The Town attorney stated that as long as people are treated similarly with no discrimination, there should be no legal problem. After much discussion, it was agreed that until there is a way to limit this to private home owners, without discrimination against apartment dwellers, this will be kept in committee. RESTRICTIVE SIGNS - CHES'1'ER PLACE/MORAN PLACE The Police Commissioner read from his memo to the Traffic Committee which included the fact that the Police Department has commenced communication with New Rochelle Police on the placement of commercial traffic warning signs in this area and that they will report back after conferring with their City traffic engineer. The TOM Highway Department has ordered signs stating "WARNING NARROW STREETS". TRAFFIC LIGHT-WEAVER ST & FOREST AVE. Since a request has been made for a left hand turn lane on Weaver St. at this intersection, the Police Department telephoned the State DOT. The immediate re- sponse from the State was that the roadway was too narrow but a formal study could be done if the request was made. After discussion, the Committee de- cided not to make this request. PARKING PERMIT REQUESTS - Madison Ave. & N. Chatsworth Ave. The Committee requested that the Administrator's office reply as a representative of this committee to the residents involved that the committee can not issue on street parking permits. NEW BUSINESS ROCKINGSTONE AND MOUNTAIN AYES. - The Police Commissioner reported that traffic is not stopping at the blinking red light. PARKING ON WEAVER ST. - Mr. Ryan asked Mr. Altieri to notify the State DOT that no parking signs needed replacement on Weaver St. Town of Mamaroneck Traffic Committee June 20, 1989 Page 4 NEW BUSINESS (cont.) WEST GARDEN RD & BROOKSIDE DR. - It was reported that the stop sign is missing from this intersection. HARMON DRIVE - When questioned by the committee as to why Harmon Drive was still closed to vehicles, Mr. Altieri reported that there is a problem between Con Edison and the State DOT regarding the traffic light. INTERSECTION OF WEAVER ST. AND PALMER AVE. - Since the Weaver St. bridge is now opened, Mr. Ryan recommended that the County and/or State study this inter- section for improved traffic flow. Mr. Altieri will write to the County re- questing they study this intersection. NEXT MEETING DATE The next meeting date of the Traffic Committee will be on Tuesday, July 25, 1989 at 8:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT On a motion from Mr. Ryan, seconded by Mr. Math and carried unanimously, the meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Cynthia Rocchio Notes of the Traffic Committee meeting - June 20, 1989 1. Approval of Minutes -- approved 2. Intersection Murray/Myrtle/No. Chatsworth -- New traffic counts will be taken by Allan Davis Allan Davis will complete new schedule of lights incorporating the elimination of the exclusive pedestrian phase. Leddy to paint dotted lines across No. Chatsworth Ave. to deliniate lanes. Recommendations to the Town Board Permit right turn on red at southwest corner of No. Chatsworth Ave. and Myrtle Blvd. in direction toward Larchmont Village. Permit right turn on red at Murray and Myrtle and northwest corner of Myrtle and No. Chatsworth - southbound on Myrtle. Ask Allan Davis why he changed his mind on right turn on red. Check into existing overhead signs at intersection with arrows and which are missing. Research legality of right turn fran left lane (check with Eric Zaidens) 3. Sunday parking - Maple Hill Drive -- recommend to Town Board Repeal current parking ban on Maple Hill Drive. 4. Pavement markings - Rockland Avenue -- Paint words SLOW on Rockland -� Avenue at crest of hill near Winged Foot Drive. Location to be determined by Police Department and Highway Department. Memo to Leddy. 5. On Street Parking Permit -- The ordinance will stay in committee for further review. Ned Ryan will submit revisions to Eric Zaidens. 6. Restricted Signs - Chester/Moran Places. . - Refer to Commissioner's memo. 7. Traffic Light Weaver Street and Forest Avenue -- Refer to - Commissioners memo. 8. Bus stop survey -- refer to Commissioners memo. -2- 9. Parking request -- 2 Madison Avenue. Indicate that Committee has decided this is not legal. 10. Resident Parking Permit -- No. Chatsworth Ave. -- same response as for #9. OTHER ITEMS 1. Notify State DOT to post no parking ordinance on Weaver Street 2. Stop Sign missing - West Garden Road and West Brookside Road on West Garden. 3. Contact State & County -- ask then to study Weaver Street and Palmer Avenue - A. Bauman, A. Fried. On behalf of the Traffic Committee. Next meeting July 25, 1989.