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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/18/2011Southold Transportation Commission Southold Town Hall April 18, 201'1 Meeting E~CEtVED ,AY 2 3 201 Called to Order: 10:05 AM by Chairman Neb Brashich. Members Present: Captain Martin Flatley, Margaret Brown, Frank Field, James Baker, Town Engineer Jamie Richter, Mike Domino for Greenport Rep. Bob Feger and Tom Fox. Members Abse,i Councilman Chris Talbot, Planning Director Heather Lanza, Highway Superintendent Pete Harris and Joel Reitman. Others in Attendance None. Minutes of March 2t, 2011 A motion by Martin Flatley for approval of the minutes was seconded by Frank Field and was carried. East End Transportation Council Neb advised that he did not attend the last meeting of the Council. However, it is understood that EETC has written to the East End Supervisors and Mayors Associatiqn advising that EETC had completed its currently-mandated mission. That mission included the SEEDS program and the Five Towns Rural Transit initiative. The 5TRT report called for specific improvements in transportation and other infrastructure leading to improved transit services covering the East End and to points westward. 5TRT was also seeking $500,000 in federal funding to establish a transit operating authority. Also in its communication, the EETC requested a new mandate from the EES&MA concerning outstanding issues involving Suffolk County Transit, the LIRR and the Suffolk County Planning Commission. The EETC expects to discuss new mandate issues at the April meeting of the EES&MA. Waldbaum's Meeting Neb's memo of April lStto Supervisor Russell reported that Commissioners Flatley, Richter, Harris and he met with Waldbaum's Store Manager Bill Geoff on Mamh 31st, as agreed to at the Commissions March 2011 meeting. Mr. Geoff reiterated that he had no control over the deliveries by his suppliers, who set their own schedules and that the trucks are loaded accordingly. The commissioners then suggested that a staging area for deliveries by box trucks be delineated on the southwestern edge of the parking lot. He asserted that while he thought that he could perhaps work out that solution, he also advised that the Owner of Mattituck Plaza was "dead set against allowing this". Alternatively, Mr. Geoff suggested that a parking area with a 15 or 20 minute limit on Factory Avenue between the railroad tracks and Waldbaum's dock area be allowed. That would permit the box trucks to be discharged sequentially, after which those trucks could be sent to the suggested staging area of the Waldbaum's parking lot referred to above while the relevant store's shelves were restocked. However, that proposal would also require the full agreement of the Owner of Mattituck Plaza. Accordingly, the Commission recommended that the existing Factory Avenue "No Parking" zones be upgraded as follows: NO PARKING zones should include both sides of Factory Avenue extending from State Route 25 to the LIRR track with the following exception: a) It is recommended that a cross walk be established to direct pedestrian traffic from Factory Avenue. This cross walk would be located just north of the existing curb cut that is used to access the back of Waldbaum's facility. b) A 30 minute Loading Zone would be recommended on the easterly side of Factory Avenue. This loading zone would be restricted to the area located between the proposed new cross walk and the LIRR property. The work delineating a new cross walk and clearing of the road shoulder area for the loading zone is considered minor and would be performed by the Highway Department. It is also recommended that all other delivery truck parking that is left unattended should be located with the Waldbaum's facility parking area. Traffic Calming Options on Factory Avenue, Mattituck With the above recommendations to the Town Board concerning the Waldbaum's situation, the Commission has completed its work on the Factory Avenue traffic situation, pending further feedback from the Town Board concerning those recommendations. Increased Hampton Jitney Service to the North Fork The Commission expressed concern about the apparent lack of publicity concerning HJ's providing late night service to the NF. It was again suggested that HJ should issue a press release and update its website concerning the new shuffle service to the North Fork from Manorville. Mattituck Corridor Study We await further news from the Planning Department concerning the status of the study. Supervisor's Requests Stop Sign Request - Jemick Lane & Oaklawn Avenue, Southold Local residents have requested the installation of stop signs on Oaklawn Avenue at the above intersection, which is directly across from the Oaklawn Avenue Elementary School. Jamie Richter pointed out that currently there is a crosswalk at that location, which is staffed by a crossing guard during school commencement and dismissal times. He also remarked that the posted speed limit on Oaklawn Avenue at that point is 20 mph and that there is adequate signage warning of pedestrians crossing. Moreover, Jernick Lane ends at Oaklawn Avenue and there is an existing stop sign on Jernick at that point. On that basis and the fact that Oaklawn Avenue is a through street, it is recommended that there is no need at this time for stop signs at the requested location. Continuing Review of Streetlights Reduction Proposal Jim Baker reported that he had met with the New Suffolk Property Owners Association and requested that it survey its members concerning the situation in that area concerning streetlights. He will send a memo Neb with his findings. The discussion then moved to the issue of deer on secluded road ways. Tom Fox pointed out that deer are a major continuing problem in the Bayview area of Southold. It was also again suggested that in areas where that condition is prevalent, the increased use of reflectors on utility poles and deer crossing signage may be partial solutions in areas with limited streetlights. permits for year-round deer hunting. Coolers are now available for fresh deer meat, which is available for distribution by the Food Pantry Program. Current Transportation Issues - Updates Southold/Greenport Bus Shelters Neb reported that he had spoken with the SCDPW, which advised that the shelters previously held in storage awaiting placement were no longer available. It was suggested that the Town submit a renewed request for the two shelters and that up to $200,000 in transportation improvement funds were available for use in funding those shelters. The 'SCDPW will inspect new suggested sites for those shelters - in Southold at the library or at Town Hall and in Greenport across from the IGA. The Greenport shelter would be maintained by the Village. Orientation / Interpretive Si,qna,qe .P[oiect - RBA Phase II Neb reported that the NYSDOT had approved the commencement of Phase II. RBA will provide documents concerning access to private property for sign placement, which is not to impact the quality of roadside views. The mayor of Greenport will receive a document covering access for the suggested sign placement at the gazebo. Harbes Family Winery, Mattituck No situation report has been received from Harbes concerning outstanding issues. Planning Board Requests None. Old Business Chapter 13 of the new Comprehensive Town Plan Transportation-related issues in that chapter will be discussed at the Commission's next meeting. Frank Field circulated a handout conceming a wine and dinner train operating in the Napa Valley of California. New Business County Road 48 and Cox Neck Lane Roundabout No news. Sound Avenue Scenic Highway Mike Domino reported that Representative Bishop and Legislator Romaine were working toward securing Scenic Highway designation for the road from Wading River to Orient Point. It is understood that the portion of that road from Cox Neck Lane westward to the commencement of Route 25A in Calverton may already have that designation. Next Meeting May 23, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Town Hall. Adjournment 11:12AM Respectfully submitted, Thomas F. Fox