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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023_03_22 Traffic Committee Minutes 0 • 47 MINUTES ''''4 Traffic Committee Meeting o ,f_ , z Wednesday, March 22, 2023 Courtroom, Second Floor of z ` 4' 7-, 1—. x Town Center 7:00 PM FOUNDED 1661 PRESENT: Doris Block, Chair Camile Odierna, Committee Member Virginia Picciotto, Committee Member Ilana Bronheim, Committee Member Robert Blaufarb, Committee Member Kimberly Larsen, Committee Member ABSENT: Matthew Wrzesniewsky, Committee Member OTHERS PRESENT: Abby Katz, Committee Member Meredith S. Robson,Town Administrator Connie Green O'Donnell, Deputy Town Administrator Robert P.Wasp,Town Engineer James Maher, Captain Margaret C. Delohery, Secretary to Town Administrator The Traffic Committee will convene in the Court Room located on the second floor at the Town Center at 7:00 pm. Chair Block started the meeting at 7:05pm. She then introduced the committee and members of the town staff. Updates: 1. Request for a crosswalk on Old White Plains Road near Carriage House Lane - Is still being evaluated by staff to find an alternative to a crosswalk that would deter speeding vehicles. Chair Block reviewed the Request for a crosswalk on Old White Plains Road near Carriage House Lane item with the Traffic Committee. Ms. Robson and Councilwoman Katz said staff are still reviewing the issue. 2. Crosswalk improvements on Colonial Avenue near the Murray Avenue School - The Committee requested that the Town Engineer provide a recommendation about the existing crosswalk. Chair Block reviewed the crosswalk improvements on Colonial Avenue near the Murray Avenue School. Mr. Wasp also reviewed the item with the Traffic Committee. He said that because of the school, the area does warrant the installation of signage for the crosswalk. Mr. Wasp said the Town could install drop curbs as a part of future capital projects. Mr. Blaufarb and Mr. Wasp discussed the signage that would be installed. Ms. Wasp said the crosswalk would be repainted. 3. Request for a crosswalk on North Chatsworth near 35 North Chatsworth -The Committee requested that the Town Engineer determine which option A or B would be more suitable for the placement of the crosswalk. Chair Block reviewed the request for a crosswalk on North Chatsworth near 35 North Chatsworth. Mr. Wasp said that placing a crosswalk at a road way intersection is safer because motorists expect pedestrians to cross there. The Traffic Committee decided Page 1 of 3 Traffic Committee March 22, 2023 to choose option A based off of Mr. Wasp's comments. Old Business: 1. North Chatsworth Avenue and Edgewood Avenue - Pedestrian safety concerns This was previously presented to the Committee at the meeting on April 27, 2022, however,there was no decision made. The resident is requesting that it be reviewed again in view of the crosswalk request on North Chatsworth. Please refer to enclosed memos from the Town Engineer and Town Administrator. Chair Block reviewed the North Chatsworth Avenue and Edgewood Avenue item with the Traffic Committee. Brian Lobel addressed the Traffic Committee and wanted clarification of the processes of installing new traffic signage and crosswalks. Chair Block said New York State guidelines have now changed and now the Town will consider installing more requested crosswalks, if it is determined necessary and safe. Mr. Lobel described a stop sign that should be moved, since there are new rules. He then described a stop sign in the N. Chatsworth Ave area. Mr. Wasp explained that the line of sight is limited and described why he is suggesting the installation of a crosswalk in a nearby area instead. Mr. Wasp and Mr. Lobel then discussed the line of sight issue on parts of Edgewood Avenue. Ms. Picciotto said that overgrowth blocks sight coming up Edgewood. Ms. Larsen discussed the extension of the sidewalk and using different methods besides curbing to allow for pedestrian traffic. Mr. Wasp said he would have to review the specific area before giving an opinion on possible solutions. Chair Block asked if people would stop and then speed up along N. Chatsworth Avenue. Mr. Wasp replied that the problem would not occur, because the crosswalks and stop signs are spread out. Ms. Bronheim, Ms. Larsen, and Ms. Picciotto discussed the small island near Edgewood and N. Chatsworth and why people need to cross there. Ms. Larsen and Ms. Robson discussed if the Town needed to advertise the installation of the crosswalks. The Traffic Committee agreed with Mr. Wasp's proposed crosswalk and sending the item to the Town Board for their review. Ms. Odierna said that the 2023 Budget would not allow for it now, and so would not be installed right away. New Business: 1. Planning Board Referral - Input is being requested regarding 2 Madison Avenue's business use as it relates to pedestrian safety and parking. Chair Block reviewed the Planning Board referral with the Traffic Committee. Chair Block described a grant that was supposed to be used for the Maddison Ave. area. Mr. Wasp gave the committee background on the item as well. He said a gym and a karate studio are going to occupy the space. Mr. Wasp then said that the parking lot is going to be reconfigured but before that is done, patrons will park across the street and walk over. Ms. Picciotto said there is an issue with a blind corner, and Chair Block said the crosswalks need to be painted again. Chair Block and Lt. Maher debated if motorists would speed after stopping at a stop sign. Mr. Wasp then discussed how the area is going to be updated, which would create new crosswalk. Ms. Picciotto commented that the two businesses should be viewed differently. She explained that the gym is not a concern because adults will be parking, but the karate studio will have kids being dropped off. Ms. Picciotto and Mr. Wasp talked about how large the gym is going to be. Mr. Wasp, Lt. Maher, and Chair Block talked about who owns the parking spaces on Washington Sq. Ms. Picciotto wanted to know about the parking spaces on Byron and if they are metered or permitted. Ms. Picciotto says she believes that a traffic study of the area needs to be completed. She believes that the danger of the blind curve is to dangerous to move forward with the proposed karate studio. The Traffic Committee agreed with Ms. Picciotto. Page 2 of 3 Traffic Committee March 22, 2023 Ms. Picciotto clarified that only if the zoning board approves of a needed variance, then the owner will need to complete a traffic study. Mr. Wasp said that there are many questions around the Planning Board Application, because the tenants submitted the application, not the owner of the property. Ms. Odierna wanted to know how long the building has been vacant; the Traffic Committee agreed that it had been vacant for some time. Mr. Blaufarb and the Traffic Committee clarified what they are recommending to the Planning Board. Ms. Picciotto said that the drop off time concerns her. Lt. Maher said that people will create a que to pick up kids their kids and block a lane of traffic. He also said that signage does say no parking but needs to say no stopping instead. Reports of Minutes: 1. February 22, 2023 The minutes were not discussed. Adjournment 1. Chair Block adjourned the meeting at 7:50pm The Traffic Committee decided the next meeting would be held on April 26th. Page 3 of 3