HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/23/2009RECI~JV~D
BAY I 8 2009 Southold Transportation Commission
Southold Town Hall
~- March 23, 2009
Present: Neboysha Brashieh, Jim Baker, Margaret Bi'own, Mike Domino, Greenport Rep., Frank Field, Tom Fox,
Ruth Oliva, Jamie Richter, Heather Lanza, Planning Dept., Pete Harris, Supt of Hwys, Tom Wiekham
Approval of February_ 23 Meeting Minutes: On a morion by Tom Fox, seconded by Jim Baker, the Minutes of the
February 23 meeting received unanimous approval.
EETC Update: Neb distributed both drafts of the Volpe Study. There will be a major "summif' meeting April 17
at the Rivemcad campus of Saffoik County Community College for Volpe to present their findings to the puhiic.
All elected officials of the five east end towns will be invited, as well as Congressman Tim Bishop, Assemblyman
Fred Thiel, Senator Ken LaValle, Rep. Marc Aiessi, Supervisor Steve Levy and County legislators. Neb strongly
encouraged Commission members to attend and we will encourage all Town Board members to attend. The aext
step is to decide which option to support and pursue, after hearing pros and cons of both proposals. Then a
financial evaluation must be done for the selected proposal. Neb stated that it is critically important that all
elected officials participate in this discussion.
Margaret will talk to 5TRT to develop questions needing answers about funding, and Tom W, Jim Baker, Tom
Fox and Margaret will meet to focus on this aspect before April 17.
Margaret handed out a "Personal Viewpoinf' memo from Hank de Cillia, describing his interpretation of the
Volpe Study and its analysis of the 5TRT proposal.
March 13 Meeting with DOT Regional Traffic Engineer Frank Pearson: This meeting was called by Supervisor
Russell. Jamie, Tom, Neb Heather and Scott met with Frank Pearson to follow up about traffic concerns in
Cutchogue. Specifically, the discussion was about a possible traffic light at Griffin Street and Rte. 25 in
Cutchogue to aid traffic leaving the Post Office on Griffin.
Supervisor's Requests:
i. Left Turn Issue from Griffin Street, Cutchogue -
2. Signal Light at Griffin Street, Cutchogue -
3. Turning Lane on Route 25 at Griffin Street - Items one, two and three were thoroughly discussed
together as one item with the Commission finally reaching a consensus that a traffic light coordinated
with the one at New Suffolk Road and Rte. 25 would create a safer traffic situation for cars leaving
Griffin Street and turning left. This would obviate the need to remove parking spaces on Rte. 25 in
front of stores on the North side of the street and would also make it safer for pedestrians. There was
also general agreement that a left mm lane from Rte. 25 onto Griffin Street could be added if
circumstances warrant it.
4. Three Parking Spaces on Route 25 at Griffin Street - The Commission recommends that the three
parking spaces across from the diner should be reinstated for now. If traific patterns change or
volume increases in the future, the issue can be revisited.
5. Crossing for Students at 7-1 1, Greenport - The Commission agrees that there should be a crosswalk
to aid Greenport students and other pedestrians crossing to the 7-1 1. But the NYSDOT should decide
the best place to install it.
National Economic Recovery_ Legislatiom Southold Submission Update: Under TEP the Town submitted a
request for $3.2 million worth of work, specifically traffic circles at Love Lane and Rte. 25 in Mattituck, Cox
Neck Lane and Rte.'Zl8 in Mattituck, Wickham and Rte. 48 in Mattituck, Depot and Rte. 48.
Current Transportation Issues - Updates:
Hamlet Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP): In addition to the other four roundabouts, we
would also consider placing them at Peconic Lane and Rte. 48, Hortons Lane and Rte. 48, Youngs Ave, and Rte.
48, and Boisseau Ave. and Rte. 48.
Southold/Greenport Bus Shelters: Nothing new to report.
Town Orientation/Interpretive Signage Project- RBA Update: The final report on Phase I was
adopted by Town Board Resolution February 3 and it was further resolved to authorize the corapletion of Phase II
with a total cash outlay of not raore than $9000. A new contract with RBA Group will be prepared.
Bridge Improvement Project, NYS Route 25 over LIRR: The work, including landscaping, will be
finished in 2010.
7-11 Project, Mattituck - Update: New plans call for expansion to the front of the existing building and
therefore no variance is required. Cost estiraates for a better turning radius will show that it is too expensive for
thc owners to manage theraselves. They will also do a new traffic study coraparing therascives to other 7-11s
and the Citgo station.
Southwold Housing Project - Update: Neb sent a memo dated February 26, 2009 to the Planning Board
stating that it might consider suggesting a turning lane and a crosswalk on Rte. 25 because of the proxrauty of the
project to the 7-11 across the street. He also reminded the Planning Board that Rte. 25 is designated as a Scenic
Byway and the scenic quality of the project needs to be maintained with appropriate plantings. The project is now
in SEQRA.
Shizen Project- Update: Neb sent a memo dated February 26, 2009 to the Planning Department stating
that we agree with Duma Engineering's statement that "At a miramum, widen and restripe the northbound
Shipyard Lane approach to provide two lanes, a combined left turn/thru lane and a separate right turn lane." He
also stated that of the options presented by the Dman Engineering Study, the Commission feels that the first option
is the purview of the NYDOT; the Commission does not support a new traffic light at Rte. 25 and Skipyard Lane;
and agrees to leave the traffic control decision to the NYSDOT. Shizen will mm in a revised DEIS.
Valero Service Station Project - Update: Neb sent a memo dated February 26, 2009 to the Planning
Department with comments from the ComnUssion: Eastern access should be a 16 foot "enmmce only", western
access should, be a 16 foot exit "right turn only", the curb cut on Depot Lane should be 24 feet and as close te the
comer as possible. The comer and areas along Rte. 25 should be landscaped in keeping with Scenic Byway
designation, and TV advertising should be eliminated at the pumps.
Harbes Winery: There is nothing new to report.
Cutchogue Heritage Project: Talks are at a standstill.
CR 48, Middle Road @ Cox Lane Update: The Commission received a copy of a letter from Gilbert
Anderson, Commissioner of Suffolk County Public Works to Leg. Ed Romaine stating that the county will design
and install eastbound and westbound protected left turn phases at CR 48 and Cox Lane. Completion is anticipated
in the fall of 2009.
None
New Business: Supervisor Russell forwarded a copy of a letter that Rev. George Gaffga, of the Mattituck
Presbyterian Church wrote to Assemblyman Atessi requesting a crosswalk on Rte. 25 between Pacific Street and
New Suffolk Avenue. He also asked that the speed limit be lowered to 20 MPH between the proposed new
crosswalk and the crosswalk at the Mattituck Library. The Commission discussed the proposal briefly but
reached no conclusions.
The next meeting is scheduled for 10 AM, Monday, April 20, 2009.
Respectfully submitted, Margaret H. Brown