TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting of June 20, 2018 Volume 65 No. 6 Members Present: Thomas Soyk, Deputy Commissioner of Parking, Acting Chairman John P. Larson, Commissioner of Parking James M. Bradley, Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety (for D. Chong) Daniel Spencer, Deputy Corporation Counsel (for J. Callahan) Melissa Brigg Ken Burford Staff Members Present: Edward Ignaszewski, Supervisor of Enforcement Anthony Marena, Transportation Engineer Nicholas Kralik, Capt.-Commander, Traffic Div. Members Absent: Staff Members Absent: Others Present: Rick Hope, Commissioner of Public Works Chris Gomez, Commissioner of Planning Anthony Carr, Deputy Commissioner of Public Works Lisa Lopilato, Secretary to Commissioner Larson John Fuerst, Deputy Commissioner of Parking I. Approval of Minutes was approved. On a motion made, seconded and carried, the minutes of the May 16, 2018 meeting II. Old Business
1. Doyer Avenue and Linda Avenue Request from Mr. Bob Lindenbaum, Managing Agent for 12 and 20 Old Mamaroneck Road to revise the existing 1 hour limit to a 3 hour limit. Mr. Lindenbaum feels the 1 hour parking limit is too short. The staff sent letters to the residents in the area and has received three responses. All of the respondents were in favor of increasing the time limit. Based on this, the staff recommended creating a 3 hour parking 7:30AM 6:30PM on the south side of Doyer Avenue and Linda Avenue between Old Mamaroneck Road and Greenridge Avenue. 2. Chatterton Parkway Request from Mr. Nat Raso, owner of 50 Battle Avenue to revise the existing regulation on Chatterton Parkway from No Parking 10:00AM 11:00AM to a 1 hour parking from 7:30AM 6:30PM. Mr. Raso feels that commuters are parked here after 11:00AM and using the spaces all day, the requested restriction would provide parking for his tenants and neighbors. The staff sent letters to the residents in the area and has received two responses. Both of the respondents were in favor of revising the time limit. Based on this, the staff recommended creating a 1 hour parking 7:30AM 6:30PM on the west side of Chatterton Parkway. Commissioner Larson questioned how many letters were sent. Anthony Marena responded that four letters were sent, the inquiry was limited to just that area. 3. Chatterton Avenue at Tarrytown Road Request from the Department of Public Safety to consider modifying the lane use on Chatterton Avenue westbound to allow left turns from the right lane also. They feel this will reduce the backup onto the Bronx River Parkway. Page 2
observations. This item is being held to allow the Department of Parking time to conduct peak hour This item was held. III. NEW BUSINESS 1. Bolton Avenue at Pleasant Avenue Request from Ms. Deborah Sadler, Pleasant Avenue to create an all way stop at this intersection. Ms. Sadler feels this will help slow motorists down. The staff field reviewed the location and the accident history. The accident history did not show a pattern of accidents correctable by the installation of an all way stop. The federal warrants for an all way stop are not met. Based on the warrants not being met, the staff did not recommend an all way stop. On a motion made seconded and carried, the Commission recommended approval of the staff recommendation. 2. Bolton Avenue Request from Mr. Sean Waldron, 29 Gedney Terrace to make Bolton Avenue between Gedney Terrace and Mamaroneck Avenue a one way heading towards Mamaroneck Avenue. Mr. Waldron feels this would make it safer for pedestrians. The staff reviewed the accident experience in the area and did not identify any unusual patterns. Creating a One Way section would result in additional travel time for many of the residents and additional traffic volume on nearby roadways. The staff did not recommend any changes. On a motion made seconded and carried, the Commission recommended approval of the staff recommendation. 3. Bryant Avenue at Nosband Avenue Request from Ms. Arline Lane, 90 Bryant Avenue for a blinking light to assist pedestrians using the crosswalk at this intersection. Ms. Lane feels that Page 3
motorists do not yield to the pedestrians and something needs to be done to improve visibility of the crosswalk. The staff reviewed the location and based on the proximity to the school and the volume of pedestrians utilizing this crosswalk, additional emphasis on the crosswalk would be helpful. The staff recommended that a push button activated rapid flashing beacon be installed for the Bryant Avenue crossing. This should result in better visibility of the pedestrians and more compliance by the drivers. Deputy Corporation Counsel Dan Spencer is opposed to the installation of the flashing beacon because he feels that the beacon is an obstruction of traffic. Acting Chairman Thomas Soyk replied that there are similar devices on Lake Street and Gedney Way that work well. On a motion made seconded and carried, the Commission recommended approval of the staff recommendation with Deputy Corporation Counsel Dan Spencer opposed. 4. Tarrytown Road in front of the Westchester County Center Request from Ms. Samantha Matuke, from Ourbus bus company to install a sign for their bus service to/from Boston, MA. The bus currently departs White Plains at 9:50AM and returns at 7:30PM Monday through Friday with similar times during the weekend. The current schedule does not conflict with the PM peak. The staff is not opposed to them utilizing this stop, however, since this stop is heavily used, any changes to the schedule or additional busses the Commission should be notified to reevaluate. Acting Chairman Thomas Soyk stated that the bus stop already exists but the applicant is requesting to install an informative sign stating that it is a bus stop. Deputy Corporation Counsel Dan Spencer would like to know why we are allowing them to put up a sign, why isn t the City of White Plains installing the sign. His opinion that it could create a problem to just allow them to put up a sign. Commissioner Larson clarified the bus stop already exists and that the signage would inform riders the location to stand to ride the bus. Page 4
approval of the staff recommendation with Deputy Corporation Counsel Dan Spencer opposed. 5. Grant Avenue at Morningside Avenue Request from Ms. Doris Formoso, to create an all way stop at this intersection. Ms. Formoso feels this will help slow the motorists down and reduce cut through traffic. The staff field reviewed the location and the accident history. The accident history did not show a pattern of accidents correctable by the installation of an all way stop. The federal warrants for an all way stop are not met. Based on the warrants not being met, the staff did not recommend an all way stop. 6. 76 Haarlem Avenue Request from Mr. Thomas Carpenito to modify the 4 meters in front of 76 Haarlem Avenue from a 2 hour limit to a 15 minute limit. Mr. Carpenito will be opening a deli at this location and the short term meters would be helpful to his business. The staff conducted several field observations and found that usually the existing spaces in front of 76 Haarlem Avenue were available. The majority of the spaces in this area are 12 hour meters which are utilized by commuters. The ten 2 hour meters in this area do not provide adequate time for most people taking a train. Base on this the staff did not recommend any changes to the parking time limit restriction. If after the business is in operation and the parking patterns change, the staff will reevaluate. Acting Chairman Thomas Soyk specified that the location is right in the middle of the new parking garage. There is a small retail location in the garage. Page 5
7. Hillair Community Request from Mr. Rick Beckerman, 12 Paddock Road to lower the speed limit to 20MPH in the Hillair Community. Mr. Beckerman stated that the Hillair Community had an executive committee meeting recently and have agreed to request a speed limit change. The staff discussed Mr. Beckerman s request, lower speed limits can be established in areas that are within proximity to a school. Since there aren t any schools adjacent to any roads in this area the Hillair Community s request cannot be granted. The staff did not recommend any speed limit changes. IV. COMMON COUNCIL REFERRALS 1. One North Broadway Request from Ms. Patricia Pardo, on behalf of Via Garibaldi for a special permit for outdoor dining The staff has no traffic related concerns. On a motion made, seconded and carried, the Commission recommended approval of the special permit. 2. 6 Martine Avenue Request from Mr. Michael McCant, on behalf of McCant s Mini Cheesecake Café for a special permit from outdoor dining. The staff has no traffic related concerns. On a motion made, seconded and carried, the Commission recommended approval of the special permit. 3. 16 Sterling Avenue (Salvation Army) Request for an extension to the site plan approvals. Page 6
The staff has no traffic related concerns. of the site plan. On a motion made, seconded and carried, the Commission recommended approval V. ADDENDUM ADJOURNMENT On a motion made, seconded and carried, the meeting adjourned at 8:44AM. Page 7