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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/13/2017 Southold Transportation Commission Southold Town Hall February 13, 2017 Meeting Called to Order: 10:08 AM by Chairman Neb Brashich. Members Present Councilman William Ruland, Town Engineer Jamie Richter, Police Chief Martin Flatley, Planning Director Heather Lanza and Planner Erica Bufkins, Highway Superintendent Vincent Orlando, Frank Field, Jim Baker, Jim Kalin and Tom Fox. Also Attending Anne Murray, East Marion Civic Association. Approval of January 23, 2017 Meeting Minutes A motion to approve the minutes was made and was seconded. After changes suggested by Heather Lanza concerning funding for a possible new Planning Department intern and by Jamie Richter concerning the deletion of a duplicate mention of Sannino Winery, the motion was carried. The January minutes have been edited accordingly. EETC Update The next meeting will be on April 12, 2017. See Ridesharing Legislation & Home Rule below. January 26 Meeting with the LIRR – Update The two hour meeting occurred at the Suffolk Community College Culinary Arts Center in Riverhead. Representatives of the LIRR met with the representatives of the five East End towns, as well as with state and local legislators. The LIRR reps presented a graphic handout covering current service to the South Fork between Speonk and Montauk and to the North Fork between Ronkonkoma and Greenport. The presentation also provided recaps of the previously submitted requests for improved service by the individual East End towns. A prolonged discussion followed with the LIRR reps making initial comments on each of those requests and promising the presentation of detailed proposals for each line at a meeting to be scheduled for March 2017 at a date to be announced. Assemblyman Thiel’s press release of January 30, 2017 provided a detailed synopsis of the January meeting. The feeling among the Southold Transportation Commissioners in attendance was generally positive in that the LIRR’s preliminary observations for improved North Fork service were encouraging. Town-Wide Parking Problems – Review Transportation Commission Draft to Town Board Based on the Commission’s previous discussions and suggested solutions, Neb and Heather prepared a discussion draft for the Town Board’s consideration. Commissioners were encouraged to submit their comments to Heather by email. The final submission to the Town Board should be ready by the Commission’s next meeting. However, Jamie Richter suggested that feedback from NYSDOT and SCDPW should also be considered. 1 Supervisor, Town Board & Town Trustees Requests Lavender Farm Update – East Marion Chief Flatley recapped his meeting with the Orient Fire Department on January 27, which discussed the issue of access of emergency vehicles. Among the items also discussed were previous and new developments related to the LF venue and withdrawal of LF’s proposed purchase of a nearby farm lot in order to accommodate parking for an additional 100 vehicles. The Commission discussed with Ms. Murray of the EMCA the issue of selected placement of no parking signage in Orient and in way of Rocky Point Road in East Marion. Ms. Murray also advised that, while LF had not yet contacted EMCA to discuss pertinent issues, EMCA will continue to pursue a meeting with Lavender Farm reps. Chief Flatley will attend that meeting, when arranged. In the meantime, Lavender Farm should be requested to consider alternative solutions to the parking issue. New DEC Boat Ramp at Hashamomuck Creek - Southold As discussed at the last meeting, because of the impact of traffic accessing the boat ramp from SR25 in way of the Port of Egypt Marina, Jamie Richter wrote to the NYSDOT requesting the consideration of placing an intersection with the Old Main Road at location. No response has yet been received. Public Requests Shorecrest at Arshamomaque Parking Request Neb’s letter of February 10 to the President of Shorecrest at Arshamomaque Association advised that, while the issues of parking problems, residential safety and protection of private property have been discussed by the Commission, no definitive solutions have emerged at this time. However, those issues and similar town-wide problems will be presented to the Town Board as part of a compendium for its consideration. Planning Board Requests Town Comprehensive Plan Issuance of the Transportation & Infrastructure Chapter has been further delayed to later in 2017. Ridesharing Legislation & Home Rule Heather Lanza advised that Assemblyman Thiel had proposed legislative language to provide a legal framework for the local regulation of ridesharing services to operate outside of the City of New York. Mr. Thiel also expressed strong support for “home rule” on this issue, which will be discussed at the EETC’s April 12 meeting. Greenport There has been no recent contact from the Village concerning problems with ferry traffic and its representative has not attended a Commission meeting in several months. As the Maritime Festival also impacts vehicle traffic, a situation report will be requested from Village officials. Current Transportation Issues - Updates Southold / Greenport Bus Shelters No further action is expected before the spring 2017. 2 Old Business Heritage at Cutchogue – No Left Turn Concern Heather reported that the Planning Board has granted conditional approval for no left turns from Griffing Street on to SR25. The roadway will be realigned in way of School House Lane. Repaving of CR48 Jamie Richter reported that he had received SCDPW’s plans for the complete repaving project of CR48 from Cox Neck Lane in Mattituck to Goldin Lane in Southold. However, the previously requested left turn signal at Depot Lane will not be included in those plans. The proposed roundabout in way of Cox Neck Lane has been cancelled. New Business Weight Restrictions – Peconic Bay Boulevard Jim Kalin noted that the Town of Riverhead was considering the imposition of weight limits on its portion of that roadway to alleviate the issue of truck traffic. Visitors Center at NYS Park Entrance – Sound Avenue – Hallockville It was suggested that the placement of the Visitors Center at a location just off in entrance from Sound Avenue may result in traffic issues related to passing motorists’ use of the restrooms and other facilities at that site. Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for March 13, 2017 at 10:00 AM in the conference room at Town Hall. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 11:09 AM. cc: Town Clerk Respectfully submitted, Thomas F. Fox 3