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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/26/2018 Southold Transportation Commission Southold Town Hall February 26, 2018 Meeting Called to Order: 10:05 AM by Chairman Neb Brashich. Members Present Councilman William Ruland, Town Engineer Jamie Richter, Planning Director Heather Lanza, Jim Baker, Jim Kalin, Greenport Trustee Mary Bess Phillips, Highway Superintendent Vincent Orlando, Frank Field and Tom Fox. Also Attending Mattituck-Laurel Civic Association representative Mary Eisenstein and New Suffolk residents Arlene and Elizabeth Castellano. Approval of January 22, 2018 Meeting Minutes The language on page 1, under Request for Two State Route 25 Pedestrian Crossings, was corrected to reflect that Geographic Information System Coordinator John Sepenoski had made in fact made that request. A motion to approve the minutes, as amended, was made by Jamie Richter, was seconded by Mary Bess Phillips and was carried. East End Transportation Council - Update There was no EETC meeting. Traffic Summit— February 28th, 10:OOAM, Peconic Recreation Center The above meeting will be the first of three meetings intended to address traffic and parking issues on the North Fork in the Towns of Riverhead and Southold. Attendance at the February meeting will be limited to the representatives of state, county and local legislatures as well as police and other agencies. Thereafter, a second meeting will include members of the business, farming and education communities to seek their inputs on traffic and parking issues. A third meeting will include members of the public. Among the issues to be discussed are: Traffic and parking issues associated with "agritourism" as well as scheduled annual events in the two towns. Workable solutions. Although there will be no public participation or discussion permitted at the first meeting, the public may submit comments and questions to the Commission in writing. Minutes will be maintained for each meeting for distribution to attendees. Resident's Discussion re Mattituck Roundabout On January 29, 2018, Neb and Jamie attended a meeting hosted by the Mattituck-Laurel Civic Association at the Mattituck Presbyterian Church for a public discussion of three proposed solutions to traffic issues at the intersection of SR25, Love Lane and Old Sound Avenue. Detailed presentations and graphics for each proposal were discussed. Jamie commented on the meeting and estimated that the cost of a roundabout at Love Lane & SR25 would be in the region of$6 to $8 million. He reported that any federal funding for that 1 project would be limited to 20%, although the Long Island congressional delegation might able to achieve a larger percentage of federal participation. Grants from NYSDOT may also be available, as the issue is one of traffic safety. Ms. Eisenstein noted MLCA that had not raised the issue of a roundabout and that it had first appeared in a previous traffic study. Status Report—Town-wide Parking Inventory No update on the previous report. Review of Parking Presentation to Town Board - Pending Public Requests New Suffolk Parkinq Proposal Arlene Castellano reviewed her email of January 27, 2018 to the Supervisor and other Town officials concerning parking in that hamlet and at the Town Beach there. She also presented a graphic showing the current parking situation and suggested possible changes. Jamie suggested that residents and other interests in New Suffolk should submit a signed majority petition with proposed solutions for further discussion at a subsequent meeting with the Commission. After the Castellanos departed the meeting, the issue of signage concerning boat trailer length limits was discussed. Supervisor, Town Board & Town Trustees Requests Parkinq on Lighthouse Road Request—Southold The Supervisor's memo of February 1, 2018 forwarded an email from a concerned local resident concerning parking and public safety issues on and around that roadway. Although the issue is considered to be a matter of enforcement, Highway Superintendent Orlando will review the signage at that location and report his findings. In the meantime, the matter was tabled. Planning Board Requests Town Comprehensive Plan Heather Lanza discussed the detailed RFP's issued on January 18, 2018, with replies due by February 2. Two consultants have submitted proposals, which will be discussed by the Town Board on February 27. The selected consultant will meet with the Commission thereafter. Heather also submitted the draft outline of January 28 for the Transportation and Infrastructure Chapter of the Plan for the Commission's review. Current Transportation Issues - Updates Southold / Greenport Bus Shelters - No Installation Contract— Next Spring Jim Kalin reported that SCDPW had inventoried its current shelters and that the Southold shelters remained on the SCDPW list for implementation. Peconic Water Taxi Proposal Tom Fox reported that he had further discussed the issue with Hampton Jitney's senior management, which remains interested in reviving the service. However, HJ will require an association with a seasoned water transit operator and some manner of subsidy. The proposal 2 should be presented to EETC for its input, with a view toward securing NYS funding for a feasibility study. Old Business North Fork Trolley Shuttle Proposal for Southold Town — North Fork Promotion Council New 2018 Grant— Review Pending for 2017 It is understood that the 2017 trial program was very successful and that a $125,000 grant from NYS Department of Economic Development is being sought for 2018. Denis Noncarrow will be invited to update the Commission concerning the shuttle trolley program. New Business Jamie and Heather discussed the issue of Uber and Lyft ride-share services in the Town of Southold. Heather noted that Uber was operating in the Town, although the service was reported to be unreliable. It was also reported that NYS had assumed state-wide jurisdiction over those services. Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 19, 2018 at 10:00 AM in the conference room at Town Hall. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 PM. cc: Town Clerk Respectfully submitted, Thomas F. Fox 3 Traffic Summit Southold Recreation Center Peconic, NY February 28th, 2018 — 10:00 AM Agenda Welcome Town of Southold Supervisor Scott A. Russell Main Traffic Issues — Seasonal/Yearly Riverhead Southold Greenport Discussion of Various Options & Funding Requirements Agreement on Course of Action & Timetable Next Steps: Business Community Input meetings General Public Input Meetings Reconvene this Group to Discuss Final Action Adjournment Attendees Town of Southold Supervisor Scott Russell Deputy Supervisor, Councilman William Ruland Police Chief Martin Flatley Police Executive Officer Captain Frank Kruszeski Planning Director Heather Lanza Town Engineer James Richter Government Liaison Officer Denis Noncarrow Transportation Commission Chairman Neboysha Brashich James Kalin Thomas F. Fox Village of Greenport Mayor George W. Hubbard, Jr. Trustee Mary Bess Phillips Village Administrator Paul J. Pallas, P.E. 1 Town of Riverhead Councilwoman Catherine Kent Police Chief David J. Hegermiller State of New York Legislature Joann Scalia Chief of Staff to Senator Kenneth LaValle Angela Noncarrow Legislative Aide to Assemblyman Palumbo State Police Gary Ryan Frederick S. Ortiz Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Kevin Matthei Suffolk County Legislature John Stype Legislative Aide to Legislator Alfred Krupski Department of Public Works Chief Engineer William Hillman Director of Traffic Engineering and Highway Permits Daniel J. Dresch, Jr. Sheriff Chief Deputy Sheriff Michael Sharkey Chris Brockmeyer Proceedings At 10:13 AM, Supervisor Russell welcomed the attendees and requested them to identify themselves. Councilman Ruland outlined the issues for discussion. Chief Hegermiller observed that "volume" on Sound Avenue is a major issue, with traffic overflowing onto SR25 and Peconic Bay Boulevard. He also noted that the several Harbes venues provide parking for about 1,300 cars and that those spaces should be used more efficiently. Specifically, he suggested that parking should be encouraged on the south side of Sound Avenue and that egress would be only by a right turn onto the eastbound roadway. Ms. Noncarrow suggested that resident stickers be issued. Councilman Ruland suggested that solutions implemented in other towns and cities should be considered and also noted that Cross Sound Ferry traffic was also a factor in roadway volume. He also suggested that the timing of the stoplight on SR25 at South 2 Jamesport Avenue and the direction of traffic flows on SR25 could be adjusted on weekends. Another possible solution would be "ticket and tow", which is currently not available in the Town of Southold. Councilwoman Kent suggested solutions must be proactive and that all ideas should be considered. Ms. Noncarrow inquired as to whether"GPS" could be updated to allow for better road usage. However, Supervisor Russell suggested that it would be difficult to achieve that result. Chief Flatley observed that the towns of Southold and Riverhead have different traffic issues at different times. Greenport's Maritime Festival occurs in summer, while Harbes' pumpkin and apple stands occur in the fall at the Riverhead-Southold town line. He also suggested that one-way traffic on roadways would not be workable. Trustee Phillips noted that Sound Avenue is a "historic corridor" and that improvements to that roadway would be difficult. Chief Flatley observed that the organizers of the Mattituck Strawberry Festival have succeeded in encouraging vehicles to park at Martha Clara Vineyard, with shuttle buses moving occupants to the event venue. Councilman Ruland noted that the North Fork Trolley trial had proven to be successful and that grants were being sought for continued operation in 2018. The LIRR's adjustment of weekend schedules and added service at more useful times is expected to contribute to the alleviation of traffic congestion. He also noted that as Greenport has become a walkable "destination", LIRR schedule changes would be an improvement. Nonetheless, residents must accept the changes that becoming a "destination" entail and that there must be time and location limits on parking. Moreover, farm stands east of Greenport see less traffic due to congestion to the west. Mayor Hubbard observed that event parking at the fields on Moore's Lane with the use of shuttle buses had proven effective. However, he also noted that parking in the Village is now at maximum capacity and that residents felt unable to leave their houses. Commissioner Fox noted that resumption of seasonal water taxi service between Sag Harbor and Greenport is actively being considered by the previous operator. M. Scalia suggested that a Hampton Jitney stop at the Eastwind complex should be considered. Supervisor Russell noted that the usage of shuttles might bring unforeseen impacts. 3 Legislative Aide Stype noted the "jump on/jump off' Hampton Hopper on the South Fork and suggested that school parking lots should be considered for shuttle parking. Councilman Ruland noted that Southold had conducted a town-wide inventory of public and private parking spaces and also observed that school districts have been reluctant to participate in the use of their lots for third-party parking because of liability concerns. However, he suggested that financial incentives might be considered in that regard. He also suggested that the impact of Cross Sound Ferry traffic ought to be considered in any traffic study. Legislative Aide Stype noted that, during the last U.S. Open Golf Championship at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, road lanes were adjusted to accommodate vehicle traffic. Commissioner Fox pointed out that the LIRR had also constructed a temporary station at the former Southampton College station location to accommodate passenger traffic for the tournament. A pedestrian overpass was also constructed over CR39. However, Chief Sharkey noted that while there was capacity for additional lanes on CR39 in Southampton, Sound Avenue in Riverhead is a narrow road without shoulders that would allow for expansion. Director Dresch noted that the U.S. Open was a direct destination venue and that Gabreski Airport had been used for parking. On that basis, he added that the situation on the North Fork is different in terms of diverse destinations and the lessons of the golf tournament would not necessarily apply. Commissioner Fox suggested high speed water taxi routes from Riverhead to Greenport and to Southampton as seasonal alternatives for passenger traffic. However, Ms. Phillips observed that environmental concerns might be issues with respect to that proposal. Captain Kruszeski suggested that 2 by 4 way stops signs on Peconic Bay Boulevard may contribute to slowing traffic. Chief Engineer Hillman noted that the South Fork has been dealing with parking and traffic issues for more than 40 years. He suggested that a solution to the North Fork's traffic problems could lie with a four lane extension of CR48 to meet the Long Island Expressway. Ms. Scalia suggested that funding may be available for a traffic study. Chief Engineer Hillman observed that people want to use their own vehicles rather using shuttles and he again proposed a CR48 extension to the LIE. 4 However, Supervisor Russell advised that a CR48 extension to the LIE would not be workable. Commissioner Fox noted that neighborhoods were changing and that many existing houses are now being purchased as rental properties. Mr. Stype suggested that planning considerations should include housing and condo developments. Supervisor Russell repeated that a traffic study with a narrow focus could be a workable prospect. Legislative Aide Stype noted that previous studies included bus routing and other suggestions had not been implemented. Councilman Ruland noted that notes and a recording of the proceedings were being made and that attendees would be provided with the minutes. He also mentioned that public health and safety are the most important issues and those concerns must be mitigated in any solution. Supervisor Russell asserted that short term solutions involving small measures are required and that the business and farming communities should be invited to a future meeting. Chief Flatley noted the impact of the Harbes' venues on traffic on CR48. Councilwoman Kent also noted the Harbes impact and suggested that the meeting was a good start in addressing traffic issues. Chief Hegermiller questioned whether the "WAZE" traffic "app" could be disabled. Engineer Matthei advised that NYSDOT would make that inquiry. Chief Engineer Hillman reported on the status of upgrades to CR48. Paving of a 10 mile, 4 lane stretch of CR48 will commence soon and should be completed before the summer of 2018. A different contractor is working on improvements of the two lane portion of the road, which will include curbing, sidewalk, drainage and paving. Paving should be completed in late summer or early fall. There will be no road closures, as one lane will always be open. Trustee Phillips noted that the impact of visitation to the Lavender Farm in East Marion is a major traffic issue. Councilwoman Kent inquired as to the status of the helicopter issue. Supervisor Russell advised that Southold's Helicopter Committee was working on the matter. 5 On behalf of the Southold Town Board, Councilman Ruland thanked all for attending and advised that they would be kept advised of developments. The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 AM. Respectfully submitted, Thomas F. Fox, Southold Transportation Commission 6 Scott, As we approach another summer, season, I have a recommendation that might help alleviate some of the problems we have at the New Suffolk Beach and Boat Ramp. Hire an adult to operate the beach "permit inspection house" and give them the additional responsibility of the Boat Ramp. An adult is needed so that they might be able to successfully confront the more aggressive people one might find launching boats. This person might also , challenge beach-goers who walk to the beach area regarding where they parked their vehicle, and they can advise them of town parking restrictions within our hamlet. I realize this might cost a little more and require some additional training, but I believe if we hire the right person, pay them appropriately, and train them properly, this will pay back big dividends. It's been my observation that in the past, the kids who have operated this facility have not been very effective in-monitoring and enforcing the standards down there, which has fueled much of the problem in "downtown New Suffolk." Thanks in advance for your attention in this matter. Jim Baker New Suffolk