TRAFFIC COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting of Wednesday, May 21, 2014 8:30AM Volume 61 No. 5 Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Members Present: Thomas Soyk, Deputy Commissioner of Parking and Acting Chairman John Larson, Commissioner of Parking Elizabeth Cheteny, Commissioner of Planning Daniel K. Spencer, Deputy Corporation Counsel (for J. Callahan) James Bradley, Chief of Police (For D. Chong) Brian Murphy, Deputy Commissioner DPW (for J. Nicoletti) Melissa Briggs Ken Burford Anthony Marena, Transportation Engineer John Fuerst, Deputy Commissioner of Parking Nicholas Kralik, Capt. - Commander, Traffic Division Others Present: Elitsa H. Golab, Resident (248 West Street) Lucille Brady, Secretary to Commissioner of Parking I. Approval of Minutes On a motion made, seconded and carried, the minutes of the April 16, 2014 meeting were approved. Page 1
II. Old Business 1. Windward Avenue and West Street - Request from Ms. Elitsa Golab, 248 West Street, regarding various concerns during the student pick up drop off times. Due to the parked vehicles, she feels that emergency vehicles would not be able to get through. She also states that cars are often parked illegally during school events. Ms. Golab further states that in 2007 the school submitted to the Board of Zoning and Appeals plans to mitigate traffic from their operation. She claims that they have yet to complete them and per the Windward s school website, the enrollment has increased 22%. Recently, an email from Mario Alberto, 211 West Street, regarding this matter, has been received. Mr. Alberto states that, during the pick up and drop off times, parked cars extend for several blocks and often block driveways. Mr. Alberto suggests restricting right turns out of Windward Avenue (at West Street). He feels that this would reduce the traffic through the neighborhood. The staff discussed Mr. Alberto s request, but felt that this type of restriction would be inconvenient to the residents. The staff felt the recommendation from last month was still appropriate (see below). The staff reviewed the location and feels that vehicles should not be waiting to pick up students on West Street. The staff recommended that both sides of West Street in this area be revised to No Stopping Any Time. The staff also recommended that the school consider staggering the student release times. Lastly, the staff recommended this item be referred to the Planning and Building Departments to verify compliance with their approvals. There was some discussion and the staff agreed that it should not be an inconvenience to residents if both sides of West Street in this area be revised to No Stopping Any Time. Page 2
It was noted that even with the recommendation approved by staff, it would still have to be approved by the Common Council. Deputy Commissioner Soyk stated that, once this change is approved, he would notify the school. The question came up regarding if the school was in violation of the enrollment cap and it was determined that that was a question for the Building Department. On a motion made, seconded and carried, the Commission approved the prior staff recommendation that both sides of West Street in this area be revised to No Stopping Any Time. III. New Business 1. Holland Avenue Parking Restriction Duration - Request from Mrs. Maria Monaldo, 492 North Broadway (Juniper Walk Condominiums) to extend the three hour parking restriction on Holland Avenue. The area along the Juniper Walk Condominium s frontage on Holland Avenue was recently changed from one hour to three hours. Mrs. Monaldo would like the three hour zone extended. The staff recommended that the residents on Holland Avenue be polled prior to making any changes to the parking duration. It was agreed that the residents would be polled. 2. Ridgeway Garden Center, 454 Ridgeway Request from the Gedney Association to discuss traffic concerns at this location due to the activity of the garden center. Page 3
The staff was informed by an employee that they are only permitted to receive deliveries after 8:00AM. The staff feels that, if deliveries were permitted earlier this would alleviate the delays on Ridgeway while a truck is backing into the site. The staff recommends that this item be held to research the Planning and Building Department requirements related to this business. Accordingly, this item is being held. IV. COMMON COUNCIL REFERRALS Steakhouse 1. 221 Main Street Request from Mr. Bruce Berg, on behalf of BLT bar and restaurant for a special permit for outdoor dining. 2. 1203 Mamaroneck Avenue Request from Mr. Mario Lombardo, on behalf of Lombardo s restaurant, for a special permit for outdoor dining. The staff field reviewed the site and the parking lot does not appear to be built as shown on the approved site plan. The staff also has concerns about nose at this location. Based on this, the staff does not recommend approval. Chief Bradley noted that the parking lot is very small. After some discussion it was determined that the site plan was in need of modification after which it should be resubmitted showing how they are providing for parking. Page 4
On a motion made, seconded and carried, the Commission recommended that this request for a special permit, as shown on the approved site plan, be denied. 3. 359-369 Mamaroneck Avenue Request from Mr. Paul Domenica Esposito on behalf of Esposito s Ristorante & Pizzeria II for a special permit for outdoor dining. The staff has no objection. 4. 245 Main Street Request from Ms Saisuda Ittichaicharn, on behalf of Noodle Plus restaurant for a special permit for outdoor dining. 5. 577 North Broadway - Request from Mr. Elez Ahmetaj, on behal of Alex s Bar and Grille bar and restaurant for a special permit for outdoor dining. Page 5
6. 105-107 Mamaroneck Avenue Request from DC White Plains LLC, for a renewal of a special permit to operate a cabaret at 105-107 Mamaroneck Avenue (a.k.a. Don Coqui. of renewal of this request for a special permit to operate a cabaret. 7. 120 Bloomingdale Road (The Venue) Request for an extension to the special permit and site plan approvals. of this request for an extension to the special permit and site plan approvals. V. ADDENDUM ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:50AM lfb Page 6