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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988_05_25 Traffic Committee Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE TRAFFIC COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK HELD ON WEDNESDAY MAY 25, 1988 AT 8:00PM IN THE SENIOR CENTER OF THE TOWN CENTER, 740 WEST BOSTON POST ROAD, MAMARONECK, NEW YORK. PRESENT: Martin Zavell, Chairman Richard Mari Anthony Math Edward F. X. Ryan Dennis Kenny Kathy O'Flinn Les Schoskin ALSO PRESENT: Steven Altieri, Town Administrator Arthur T. Dallas, Police Commissioner Thomas Leddy, Highway Department Richard Tortarella, Fire Chief Henry Korn, Councilman (attended part of meeting) Approval of Minutes The minutes of April 19 were approved with the following corrections. . . a typo on page 3, 3rd paragraph from bottom of page, last sentence, the word "event" was omitted. Lot #3 - Converting two 24-hour spaces to Handicapped Space Mr. Zavell reviewed the minutes of the last meeting. He informed those present at the meeting that a memo was sent by the town clerk, which said after a canvassing of the permit holders it was discovered that three 24-hour spaces are available. The town clerk recommends that one space be designated for handicapped parking and that there was only one request. Police Commissioner Dallas confirmed that there were very few requests for handicapped spaces. Dr. Heidi of North Chatsworth stated there is a difference between the handicapped and elderly, and that parking spaces are needed specifically for the handicapped. He also said that there is a bill before the legislature which would mandate 5% of spaces in lots holding 20 or more cars must be designated for the handicapped. He said he feels one space is inadequate. Mr. Richard Mari stated he would agree with the town clerk's recommendation, but feels the requirements in obtaining a space be made more stringent. Mr. Ryan supports the designation of one handicapped space and an effort should be made to find out if there is a need for more. After reviewing a map of parking lot #3, Mr. Steve Altieri said the proposed handicapped space was chosen because it was closest to the sidewalk. On a motion by Mr. Mari, and unanimously agreed by the committee, the Town Traffic Committee recommends that one parking space be disignated for handicapped parking. it will be available on a seniority basis for people holding a valid handicapped lisence plate or decal. Should the need for additional spaces arise, the committee will review it again. c Rockingstone Avenue & Mountain Avenue Paul Marafino of 150 Rockinstone Avenue repeated his request for the placement of a 4-way stop sign and stated that there was a record of several accidents near that intersection. He is adverse to making Mountain Avenue a one way street and feels it would not solve the problems. Mr. David Tulchin of 14 Rochelle stated he was also adverse to making Mountain Avenue a one way street because a large amount of traffic would be diverted through Rochelle Rd. and Huguenot Dr. where many children play. He feel a 4-way stop , or a regular traffic light would be very beneficial. Mr. Trafford of 25 Huguenot stated he did not receive a notice for this meeting. Mr. Trafford said he would like to see regular policing of Rockingstone for speed as well as for illegally parked cars. He is also opposed to the placement of a traffic light and objects to making Mountain Avenue a one way street. Joan Gorham of 15 Wildwood Rd. expressed her concern for the safety of the children in the area who have to cross over Rockingstone. She stated that making Mountain a one way would not be constructive. Mr. Altieri stated that 300 notices were sent out to inform the public of this meeting as well as notices published in the local paper. Mr. Ryan directed the discussion by saying that the 4-way stop sign had been discussed previously and declined. Commissioner Dallas explained the hazards of traffic niusances such as stop signs and warned that they tend to increase fatalities. Mr. Zavell said the Committee is concerned with this problem and will try to find a viable alternative. No one on the board favors making making Mountain Ave. a one way street. This will be put on the agenda for next meeting with the understanding that concerned residents contact Kathy O'Flinn or Les Schosker to discuss alternatives to this problem. He also said a counter will be put in on Rockingstone to measure volume. Howell AventE Mr. Richard Hassell, President of the Howell Park Association stated that based on a poll, most of the Howell Park residents would be in favor of closing the street to solve there traffic problems. He also stated that he sees no benefits in making the street a one way. Mr. Altieri asked for the comments of both Fire Chief Tortarella and Highway Department Mr. Leddy. Mr. Tortarella is strongly against closing the street because it is very important to have easy access into the area in case of emergencies. Mr. Leddy said closing the street would cause problems for maintainence staff. Trucks could not turn around , making it very difficult to sweep and plow. Therefore he is very much against it. -2- Mr. Ryan stated that he would agree with the recommendation of the Fire Chieif and Mr. Leddy and vote against closing of the street. ! Chairman Zavell stated the Committee will no longer consider the closing of Howell Avenue, but will consider the alternative of making it a one way. Mr. ryan suggested to study the Palmer -Weaver intersection immediately to make it more efficient and alleviate the Howell Park problem. Mr. Altieri said the Department of Transportation is currently involved in the Weaver Street Corridor Study in which this intersection would probably fit in. Martin Zavell said he would write a letter regarding this, based on information supplied by Mr. Altieri. Overlook Terrace - One Way Traffic Jonathan Langan of 90 Overlook presente a petition to the committee from 12 families, requesting that Overlook Terrace be made a one way street. Several other residents of the area came to the meeting to voice their opinions. Maxine Sanders of 42 N. Chatsworth Ave. stated she would like the one way street but specified it should enter from Murray Avenue and exit on Chatsworth. She noted a blind spot and increased speed of traffic coming off of N. Chatsworth is potentially dangerous. Joan Keenan of 91 Edgewood objected to making the street a one way because it is inconvenient and believes it would increase problems. Susan Bartash of 99 Edgewood is very concerned for the safety of children and is worried that a one way street would caus an increase in traffic speed. Commissioner Dallas noted that one way streets have a tendency for increasing traffic speeds. He feels a 5mph limitation sign would be impractical and unenforceable. Mr. Ryan stated he believes making Overlook Terrace a one way street is not adviseable. Mr. Mari made a motion that warning signs be installed at the Police Commissioner's discretion. If the residents still feel it is not enough, they may come back and discuss it again. Huguenot Drive - Letter of Ida Appelman Mr. Trafford of 25 Huguenot stated that on several occasions he has noticed that drivers were not stopping at the Mountain Ave. - Huguenot Dr. stop sign. Kathy O'Flinn questioned whether the stop signs were obstructed from view by shrubbery. And suggested cutting the shrubbery back if that was the case. Commissioner Dallas said there will be increased enforcement. He recommended the placement of a stop ahead sign or other appropriate signage to warn of this dangerous intersection. -3- Mr. Zavell asked Mr. Trafford to report if he sees an improvement of the situation after a week or two. Preston Street - Edgewood Ave - Stop Sign Mr. Gordon Albert of 17 Edgewood requested the placement of a stop sign at Edgewood and Preston because there has been several accidents there because it of speeding cars making wide turns. Mr. Math made a motion, which was unanimously approved, to installa stop sign appropriately placed on either side of Preston on Edgewood Ave. Traffic Control - Murray Ave Mr. Mike Saade of 200 Murray Ave. stated he was impressed by recent police surveillance of Murray Ave. Mr. Joseph Fawn of 282 Murray is very concerned with the increased amount of commercial traffic on Murray Ave. and the speed of traffic in general. He would like to see speed limitation signs installed and suggested a traffic light be placed on Murray and Bryson. Mr. Altieri noted the increased commercial traffic is due to the Weaver Street bridge closingand stated the town does not have the jurisdiction to set tonnage requirements which would limit trucks on Murray Ave. Mr. Zavell noted there has been a lot of selective enforcement on Weaver St. Mr. Math agreed it was the best way to control speed. Mr. Ryan stated that there is a presumption against traffic lights and stop signs on throught streets and he would object to putting additional signs on that street becaus accident rate does not support the need for it. There will be continued police surveillance in this area. North Chatsworth Ave. & Myrtle Blvd. - Right on Red Steve Altieri informed the Committee and Public of the updated status on the light at the intersection of N. Chatsworth Ave. & Myrtle Blvd. He said they were trying to reduce the span. Mr. Ryan stated he noticed that the light was not operating on call but on routine. He also noted that heavey traffic from the railroad going toward N. Chatsworth Ave. tends to act as if it has the right away at that intersection. Mr. Zavell asked the Police Commissioner to look into both matters. Meredith Ashley wishes to have some of the traffic crossing the bridge alleviated and suggest a sign permitting traffic to turn right on red. Commissioner Dallas agrees it would be a good idea and would help traffic flow. Mr. Ryan made a motion, which was agreed by all, to comply with the recommendations of the Police Commissioner and permit a right turn on red -4- at the North Chatsworth - Myrtle Blvd. intersection. Lakeside Drive Dan Daniels of Falls Road stated he was very concerned about the safety of children and pedestrians who walk along Lakeside Drive. He said that cars go very fast along the curve and is also a blind spot. He would like to have a stop sign placed at the curve to slow down traffic. Mrs. Drifter agrees with Mr. Daniels and would also like a stop sign placed. Kathy O'Flinn suggested painting warning line or making a cross walk Commissioner Dallas recommended selective enforcement for a month. During this time the Commissioner will take a closer look at this problem and report his findings at the next meeting. Meanwhile police enforcement will continue. New Business Mr. Ryan reported that an approved stop sign has not yet been placed at West Garden and West Brookside intersection. Steve Altieri will notify Mr. Leddy. Mr. Math stated many signs are bent and damaged. He noticed a one way sign at Washington Square was missing. Steve Altieri said there has been alot of sign vandalism, and he will notify Mr. Leddy of specific problems. Mr. Altieri notified the Committee that there will be some repaving of Lot 01. Mr. Ryan will volunteer to inform the Town Council of the Traffic Committee's recommendations on Lot 01. Next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday June 28. Meeting Adjouned 11:55PM -5- NOTES OF THE TRAFFIC COMMITTEE - May 25, 1988 1. Approval of Minutes - approved. 2. Conversion of Spaces - Lote #3 -- Traffic Committee accepted proposal of Town Clerk to establish one handicapped permit space. Seniority to be used to determine who will get space. 3. Rockingstone Avenue and Mountain Avenue -- Recommendation making Mountain Avenue one way has been rejected. Traffic Counts will be taken at Rockingstone Avenue and Mountain Avenue. Matter to be placed on June agenda. 4. Howell Avenue -- Committee rejected proposal to close Howell Avenue. Draft letter from Marty Zavell to County Planning Department re: study of Weaver Street and Palmer Avenue as part of Weaver Street corridor study. Howell Park residents will work with Police Commissioner on other alternatives. 5. Traffic Control - Murray Avenue -- No action at this time. 6. One way traffic - Overlook Terrace -- Commissioner to recommend specific warning signs to warn motorists of blind curve. 7. Stop Sign - Preston Street and Edgewood Avenue -- Commissioner's recommendation accepted to install stop signs on Edgewood Avenue. Preston Avenue to have a right-of-way-. Set hearing next Town Board Meeting. 8. Huguenot Drive and Mountain Avenue -- Town will contact City of New Rochelle to install warning signs at stop signs. Commissioner to handle. 9. & 10. Update Murray, Myrtle & No. Chatsworth -- Check to see if pedestrian phase is automatic or on call. Right turn on red - Myrtle Boulevard and Chatsworth Avenue. Commissioner will see to the installation of a "right turn permitted after stop" sign. 11. Lakeside Drive - Mr. Drucker's letter -- matter deferred to June meeting - notice to Mr. Drucker. OTHER ITEMS 1. West Garden Road and West Brookside Drive - replace stop sign on West Brookside Drive. 2. Bent signs - Washington Square 3. Place on June 8th TB agenda - Traffic Committee Comments on Lot #1. Next meeting - Tuesday, June 28, 1988