HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/25/2005
Southold Transportation Commission
Southold Town Hall
April 25, 2005
Present: Neb Brashich, Margaret Brown, Tom Fox, Tom Wickham, Capl Marty Ratley, Victor L'eplattenier,
Supt. of Highways Pete Harris
SEEDS Update: Town Meetings will be held on May 3 at Southold High School to announce SEEDS findings.
The Commission members should plan to attend one of the meetings. Pam Thiele and Jerry Bogacz came to the
last Town Board Meeting. It was a very positive presentation and the Board was left with a solid understanding
of what SEEDS is trying to accomplish in the two tracks it has taken - land use and transportation.
Scenic Bywl\Ys lonent Causewl\Y Project: Jamie gave an update on four road projects in town.
The Orient Causeway Undergrounding: LIPA has been sent an internal engineering memo requesting cost
estimates for the project and an answer is expected in a few weeks.
Construction of a new Rotary in Greenport: The State study of this intersection should be complete by the end
of April. The study was requested by Supervisor Horton to provide for traffic calming and improve safety at the
intersection of Rtes. 48 and 25.
State Route 2S Bridge over LIRR in Greenport: After a final scoping meeting in May, the State DOT will
submit its findings to the Town and set up public meetings for comment and review.
Bridge Lane Bridge: Punds for rebuilding the bridge have disappeared, so LIRR will provide routine
maintenance on an annual basis and if the bridge falls down, the crossing will be eliminated and Bridge Lane will
no longer be a through road. This matter should be of concern to the Town.
North Bl\Yview Entrance to Harbor U.:hts: A request has been made by Mr. Robert A. Roccherta to the
Supervisor for a stop sign to be placed on North Bayview eastbound to improve safety for traffic entering Harbor
Ughts. This request was discussed, resulting in a decision to assess the current signage and consider adding a
"Dangerous Intersection" sign in both directions on North Bayview Road. It was felt that a Stop Sign might
complicate the problem.
North Pork Deli: We received a memo from Bruno Semon, Seuior Site Plan Reviewer, stating that the Planuing
Board asked that the Commission discuss the site plan for the proposed rebuilding of the North Road Deli
(Bremers Deli) accompanied by a letter of concern from the Raymond P. Nine, Vice President of the Bethany
Cemetery Association, dated May 24, 2004. The Cemetery Association is concerned that vehicles parking along
the eastern portion of the cemetery property will cause damage and litter. They request that if parking is going to
be allowed, a proper concrete curb should be installed to protect the property. The ensuing discussion revealed
that there is also a problem with an old oil tank on the premises, and the septic system would be too close to a
well on the next property. The Deli owners must abide by teday's codes. The Deli owners also want a telephone
pole, which is north of where the structure would be built, to be moved or removed. This issue will be tabled until
the Commission can see a site plan.
Traffic Study at Cox Neck R""tI anti CR 48: Tom Wickham faxed a memo to Neb relating concern the Town
Board has about traffic safety at the intersection of Cox Neck Road and CR 48. The Board concluded that it is a
difficult intersection which requires attention. A traffic light is a possible solution, or perhaps a traffic circle.
However, building a traffic circle would be very expensive and require a substantial amount of land. The open
land which might accommodate a circle has recently been acquired by the Town as Open Space and is therefore
not available for road construction. Tom does not think a traffic light is the answer. He also reported that the
Martituck Stakeholders, who have been working on the Hamlet Study project, have suggested to the Town Board
that CR 48 remain a two-lane road from Cox Neck Lane to Wickham A venue. This would slow traffic and
narrow the road so that crossing to the Mattituck Inlet might be safer. The Town Board expressed interest in this
concept. It was suggested that the Commission or the Town Board hire a transportation consultant, or perhaps
have a sub-committee of this Commission and a few Stakeholders research this proposal.
Sound Avenue Access to I ,,"r..11 "Ice Preservation Area: James McMahon, Director of Southold Town DPW,
copied a letter to William Hillman, PE, of the Suffolk County DPW for our information about a plan to provide
parking for the Laurel Lake Preservation Area south of Sound Avenue on the east end of Mattituck. He included
a sketch and an aerial view of the area.
Five Towns Rwal Transit Committee: Margaret reported that the committee is working on doing a Survey of
transportation needs in the five East End Towns. Steve Appel will do the survey. Several sulH:ommittees are
working on background information for the Development Proposal: researching existing public transportation
cOverage and deficiencies, looking into the proposed new route structure, preparing a demand forecast, and
researching capital improvement needs and options.
Tom Wiclcham RllPOrt: Tom had several items he wanted to discuss with the Commission.
Hamlet Studies: many transportation suggestions came up during the Mattituck Hamlet Meeting. Almost all
asked for traffic calming because Route 25 cuts through the center of the hamlet. They wanted to know how to
achieve traffic calming. In Cutchogue, there will be a 2 or 4 inch high median to slow traffic. They also asked
for solutions to parking problems.
Cutcl10gue Sump: The Hamlet Study asks for an attractive center to Cutchogue and the sump is not appropriate.
Tom, Supervisor Horton, and Pat Acampora met and explored alternative ideas including landscaping and
undergrounding the drainage rings and building a park over them.
Five TOWD Roral Traosit (STRC): Tom was on the board of Peconic County Now and reported that it has
recently disbanded. They had a $3 I ,000 balance left in the treasury and they decided to give it to 5TRC to use to
help finance a Five Towns Survey of transportation needs.
Ferry Parkiog iu Orieut: Tom reported that Supervisor Horton is now very serious about stopping parking on
Rte. 25 for the ferry. If he succeeds in curtailing parking on the road, Cross Sound will be forced to find alternate
parking and may consider off-site parking with shuttle service to the ferry.
Old Business: There was no Old Business.
New Business: There was no New Business.
The next meeting will be Monday June 6,2005 at 10 AM, Southold Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted, Margaret H. Brown