TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting of August 15, 2018 Volume 65 No. 8 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) Rick Hope, Commissioner Department of Public Works Linda Puoplo, Deputy Commissioner of Planning (for C. Gomez) Staff Members Present: Edward Ignaszewski, Supervisor of Enforcement Nicholas Kralik, Capt.-Commander, Traffic Div. Anthony Carr, Deputy Commissioner DPW Anthony Marena, Transportation Engineer Members Absent: Ken Burford Melissa Briggs Daniel Spencer, Deputy Corporation Counsel (for J. Callahan) Staff Members Absent: Others Present: Lisa Lopilato, Secretary to Commissioner Larson John Wingert Michael Amabile Janice Brown I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES was approved. On a motion made, seconded and carried, the minutes of the July 18, 2018 meeting
II. OLD BUSINESS 1. 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. This item is being held to allow the Department of Parking time to conduct peak hour observations. This item was held. 2. Southminster Drive at Lakeview Drive Request from Mr. Greg LaMarca to review the sight lines for the left turn from Southminster Drive. The staff reviewed the sight lines. The sight line to the left is restricted due to shrubs on the corner property. The staff recommended that this be referred to the Department of Public Works to contact the property owner. On a motion made seconded and carried, the Commission recommended approval of the staff recommendation. 3. Smith Avenue Request from Ms. Marilyn Lalla, 20 Smith Avenue to create a No Parking 10AM to 11AM on Smith Avenue, Ms. Lalla feels that hospital workers are parking there all day. The staff has sent letters to the residents in the area but recommended that this item be held an additional month to allow time for additional responses. This item was held. III. NEW BUSINESS Page 2
1. Davis Avenue Request from Ms. Sabrina Crowley, 91 Davis Avenue to create a No Parking 10AM to 11AM on Davis Avenue, Ms. Crowley feels that cars are parking in front of her home all day. The staff recommended that the residents in the area be polled prior to making any recommendations. Residents will be polled. 2. Hamilton Avenue Request from New York State D.O.T. to modify the previously approved bus routing and create a new Bus Stop on Hamilton Avenue eastbound just west of E.J. Conroy Drive. Currently a No Stopping Bus Stop 7AM-10AM, 4PM-7PM exists in this area which was created as a layover area for buses. This area is not used often as a layover area. The staff recommended modifying the existing No Stopping Bus Stop 7AM-10AM, 4PM-7PM to a No Stopping Bus Stop. John Wingert, Transdev, addressed the Commission. He stated that because of operational concerns, presented are modifications to the previously approved route and layover location. On the previously approved plans the buses will need to execute the Broadway loop twice. In addition, the layover on Martine Avenue is in a congested area with heavy passenger traffic and not an ideal location. Mr. Wingert then presented the revised routing which eliminates the extra loop by using Broadway and Main Street. He stated, to reach Hamilton Avenue at EJ Conroy Drive the buses would travel on Church Street and continue to Hamilton Avenue. The Martine Avenue layover would be eliminated and replaced with the proposed Hamilton Avenue layover. Commissioner Larson asked how many buses would be at the proposed layover location at one time. Mr. Wingert responded that there should be no more than two buses for approximately five or ten Page 3
minutes. The stops at this location should be relatively staggered. Commissioner Larson asked if the buses would encroach the exit of the garage. Acting Chairman Thomas Soyk stated that the proposed layover area is 115 feet long and 50 or 60 feet from the Hamilton-Main Garage driveway. Currently, he stated, that area should be able to accommodate three buses when there is a layover need. Captain Kralik questioned if the buses could maneuver the left turn onto Church Street and if this new route would cause a problem with church parking on Sundays. The Commission reviewed the surrounding areas to consider any other viable alternative. Although Renaissance Square was considered, this was not an option due to the bus stop at the Main Street and Court Street intersection. It was determined that parking regulations must be observed at Church Street and that those regulations could possibly change later if necessary. Acting Chairman Thomas Soyk stated that the modified plan seems to be the most reasonable. He stated that if an adjustment is needed at a later time, it will be addressed then. On a motion made seconded and carried, the Commission recommended approval of the staff recommendation. 3. 184 Mamaroneck Avenue Request from Ms. Sandra Lippman, to create a handicap parking space on Mamaroneck Avenue near Thompson s Art Supply. She feels that there aren t any accessible spaces in this area. This item was denied last month due to the available accessible spaces in the nearby parking garage. Ms. Lippman requested we reconsider the matter and would not be opposed to a space without curb cuts. The staff field reviewed the location. Currently, the space in front of Thompsons s Art Supply is a loading zone with a fire hydrant within the zone. The staff recommended creating a handicap parking space on the east side of Mamaroneck Avenue just north of the loading zone. Page 4
On a motion made seconded and carried, the Commission recommended approval of the staff recommendation. 4. Cleveland Street Request from Mr. Anthony Gilberti, 18 Cleveland Street to create a No Parking 10AM to 11AM on Cleveland Street, Mr. Gilberti feels that cars are parking in front of his home all day. The staff recommended that the residents in the area be polled prior to making any recommendations. Residents will be polled. IV. COMMON COUNCIL REFERRALS 1. 400 Hamilton Avenue Request from AT&T to amend the previously approved site plan as it relates to required parking. The staff met before this month s Common Council meeting, therefore, the staff did not have any comments. Acting Chairman Thomas Soyk stated that this is mainly a modification of the agreement to allow for an easement for AT&T parkers. This site has already been reviewed for traffic impact. This is more of a legal issue with respect to the applicant s agreement with AT&T. Commissioner Larson questioned what the proposed changes are. Acting Chairman Thomas Soyk stated that there seems to be some discrepancies with the shared spaces. This referral addresses whether AT&T agrees with the amended plans. Captain Kralik stated that there was a shortage of spaces and now the number of shared spaces must increase thereby causing a decrease of the allotted spaces just for AT&T employees. Commissioner Larson observed that this just refers to the resident s Page 5
use of the shared spaces at night. He also stated that the site plan approval for 440 Hamilton Avenue is contingent upon approval of this amendment. On a motion made, seconded and carried, the Commission recommended approval of the amendment. 2. 60 South Broadway Request from Lennar Multifamily Communities, LLC to amend the previously approved site plan as it relates to phasing and size of residential and retail components. The staff met before this month s Common Council meeting, therefore, the staff did not have any comments. Acting Chairman Thomas Soyk stated that this is a change from the original plan to a larger number of residential units and smaller amount of retail. He stated that this is an improvement from a traffic perspective. This will be built in two phases. Deputy Commissioner Linda Puoplo, on behalf of Commissioner Gomez, wanted the Commission to be aware that plans should be submitted which show internal circulation for Phase 1 if the implementation of Phase 2 is delayed. Commissioner Larson stated that since there was additional time he would prefer this going back to staff for a recommendation. On a motion made, seconded and carried, the Commission will refer this to staff for their recommendation. 3. 97-111 and 100-114 Hale Avenue Request from Hale WP Owner, LLC. For site plan and special permit approval of two residential buildings (70 and 57 units). The staff met before this month s Common Council meeting, therefore, the staff did not have any comments. Acting Chairman Thomas Soyk stated that the traffic impact for this referral is not significant. The project encompasses two buildings with a relatively low number of residential units. Page 6
On a motion made seconded and carried, the Commission recommended the approval of the site plan and special permit. V. ADDENDUM ADJOURNMENT On a motion made, seconded and carried, the meeting adjourned at 9:15AM. Page 7