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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989_05_08 Traffic Committee Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK TRAFFIC COMMI'r1'hE HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 8, 1989 IN THE SENIOR CENTER AT THE TOWN CENTER, 740 WEST BOSTON POST ROAD, MAMARONECK, NEW YORK. PRESENT: Martin Zavell, Chairman Richard Mari Kathleen Tracy O'Flinn Leslie Schlom EXCUSED: Dennis Kenny Anthony Math Edward F.X. Ryan ALSO PRESENT: Steve Chapin, Liaison from the Town Board Steven Altieri, Town Administrator Arthur Dallas, Police Commissioner The chairman called the meeting to order at 8:20 p.m. He explained the purpose of this committee to those in attendance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On a motion from Mr. Mari, seconded by Ms. O'Flinn, the minutes of April 10, 1989 were approved with the following corrections: On page one, under the heading TRAFFIC - CHESTER PLACE, paragraph four, change the word "posed" to "posted". In paragraph eight, change the word "sings" to "signs". On page two, paragraph two, change the word "fells" to "feels". On page two, under the heading MYRTLE BLVD. , MURRAY AVE. , ETC. , paragraph three, the last sentence should read: She feels the time needs to be increased on the N. Chatsworth and Myrtle Blvd. phase so vehicles can travel through that inter- section as well as Murray Ave. and Myrtle Blvd. SUNDAY PARKING - BOTH SIDES OF MAPLE HILL DRIVE Mr. John Hanoway of 67 Ridge Rd. , New Rochelle, President of the Parish Council of Sts. John and Paul Church and Kenneth Paget of 14 Orsini Drive, Larchmont, were present to represent the Parish Council of Sts. John and Paul Church. Both wished to discuss the rational behind signs posted which prohibit parking on Maple Hill Dr. during specified hours on Sunday mornings. Both residents also expressed concern that summonses were issued on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. In answer to the question as to why the signs were posfied, Mr. Altieri explained that the Highway Dept. is responsible for rehanging signs. He further explained that if there is a question regarding the continued existence of the ordinance which dictates the sign, they will check with the Town Clerk to be sure the ordinance is still in effect before rehanging signs. He further stated that enforcement is a separate issue. Cununissioner Dallas was asked to present his report and recommendation. The Commissioner presented his report along with a schematic drawing of the street in question and his recommendation for continuation of status quo. Mr. Paget felt the ordinance was "seemingly discriminatory" due to the day which was chosen to begin enforcement (Palm Sunday) . He suggested the committee examine the entire rational since Saturday evening masses are more popular, therefore more vehicles are parked on the street at that time then on Sunday mornings. • • Town of Mamaroneck Traffic Committee May 8, 1989 Page 2 SUNDAY PARKING - BOTH SIDES OF MAPLE HILL DRIVE (cont.) Commissioner Dallas addressed the public regarding this problem explaining that this is an old ordinance and the Police Department is trying to justly enforce it. He further stated that the Police Department would never discriminate against any house of worship. The Police Commissioner also stated that he has offered to appear in court on the date that any summonses issued on Palm Sunday or Easter Sunday will be heard since he feels the timing of the enforcement of the ordinance was unfortunate. The Commissioner stated that he would like to see as much visibility as possible at this site and asked that the traffic committee study it carefully before deciding to remove the ordinance. The Fire Chief was asked for his opinion of the site. He stated that although it would be easier for traffic to flow if no cars were parked on Maple Hill Dr. near the corner of Weaver Street, it has not interfered with the Fire Department traversing the street. After further discussion from area residents supporting the position of the Parish Council, the committee discussed the issue. Mr. Zavell stated that since he lives on Maple Hill Dr. , he feels that it is difficult to traverse the street in both directions if cars are parked on both sides of the street since Maple Hill narrows as it nears Weaver Street. He further stated that he has never noticed U turns being made on Maple Hill Dr. to return to Weaver St. Ms. O'Flinn stated that the Fire Chief has expressed no difficulty with this intersection and it has never been her experience to see U turns being made on Maple Hill Drive. Mr. Schlom stated that we may find that traffic flows better i ' parking is not allowed on both sides of the street. He feels the Police Commissioner's recommendation should be looked at. Mr. Mari stated that if parking is allowed on both sides of the street during times of high traffic volume, residents will have difficulty entering and leaving their driveways. After further discussion, Mr. Zavell stated that he would like to study this issue further along with the committee. He further stated that he would like to see a moratorium on the writing of summonses while this is being studied and have it put on the agenda for June. The Police Commissioner and traffic committee agreed with Mr. Zavell's suggestions. RESTRICTIVE SIGNS - CHESTER PL./MORAN PL. Residents were present from Moran Place and Chester Place to hear the cuuuuittee's comments and recommendations. Mr. Zavell stated that a memo was sent from the Police Chief to the Town Attorney requesting information regarding restrictive signs in the area. • Town of Mamaroneck Traffic Committee May 8, 1989 Page 3 RESTRICTIVE SIGNS - CHESTER PL./MORAN PL. (cont. ) Commissioner Dallas stated that signs requiring enforcement will not be as effective as signs warning about the narrowness of the road. He further stated that he has contacted the City of New Rochelle regarding establishing signs in their jurisdiction. Mr. Altieri suggested to the New Rochelle residents that they would move this along faster if they also spoke to their local representatives. After discussion, the committee agreed unanimously that the wording of the sign should be: WARNING - NARROW STREETS. The Highway Department will be notified by Mr. Altieri's office. Commissioner Dallas stated that he has effectively dealt with the bus company in questions regarding unsafe practices and asked that residents contact him if they have any further problems in this regard. INTERSECTION - MURRAY AVE. , N. CHATWORTH AVE & MYRTLE BLVD. Ms. O'Flinn stated that she met with Lt. Anderson of the Police Dept. and Mr. Altieri to discuss the intersection and time the cycles. She felt it would be appropriate for the traffic consultant to meet with the sub culluuittee to explore other possibilities but at this time recommends that the red light phase coincide with the pedestrian phase on any given street. After discussion, Mr. Zavell made the following motion: The traffic committee recommends to the Town Board that the exclusive pedestrian phase be removed at this intersection and institute a pedestrian phase that will coincide with the red light sequence. The motion was seconded by Mr. Schlom and carried unanimously. Mr. Altieri stated that if the Board acts on this recommendation he feels we should see how it works before doing anything further at this intersection. Ms. O'Flinn stated that she would still like a meeting set with the traffic consultant and the sub committee to discuss alleviating the waiting time at this intersection. It was agreed that Mr. Altieri will set up a meeting the week of May 22nd. TRAFFIC LIGHT - WEAVER ST. & FOREST AVE. A letter was received requesting that a left hand turn lane be installed on Weaver Street leading to Forest Ave. Commissioner Dallas stated that only the State could make that decision on Weaver Street, but he does not feel there is enough room for two lanes at this site. After discussion, the committee agreed that since this is a school area, they would ask for a recommendation from the State D.O.T. before discussing this further. Ms. O'Flinn stated that she would like to see the traffic move left to turn left onto Forest Ave. at this intersection. • Town of Mamaroneck Traffic Committee May 8, 1989 Page 4 NEW BUSINESS ROCKINGSTONE AVE. Mr. Chapin reported that the Town Board voted three to two in favor of changing the light to flashing red on Rockingstone Ave. OVERNIGHT PARKING It was reported that there has been some difficulty setting a meeting date for the sub committee to discuss hardship permits for overnight parking. Mr. Altieri stated that the meeting was originally set for May 4th. Mr. Ryan asked that it be changed to May llth, but Mr. Kenny will not be back from his • business trip at that time. It was agreed that another meeting would be set after talking with the people involved. NEXT MEETING DATE The next meeting of the traffic committee will be held on tuesday June 20, 1989. ADJOURNMENT On a motion from Mr. Schlom, seconded by Mr. Mari and carried unanimously, the meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Cynthia Rocchio