Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/19/2018 Southold Transportation Commission Southold Town Hall March 19, 2018 Meeting Called to Order: 10:00 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, Police Chief Martin Flatley, Nick Mazzaferro, Frank Field and Tom Fox. Also Attending North Fork Promotion Council Chairman Duncan Kennedy, East Marion Civic Association President Ann Murray, and a concerned Orient resident. Matt Carmody, Consultant with AKRF, joined the meeting later. Approval of January 22, 2018 Meeting Minutes A motion to accept the minutes was made, was seconded and was carried. Approval of the February 28, 2018 Traffic Summit Minutes A motion to accept the minutes was made, was seconded and was carried. See below for Minutes of the March 9, 2018 Traffic Summit Follow-up Meeting. East End Transportation Council - Update There was no EETC meeting. Heather Lanza has been discussing the appointment of a new Chairman with representatives of the Towns of Southampton and Riverhead. North Fork Promotion Council North Fork Trolley Shuttle Pilot Project - Update Duncan Kennedy reported that his organization was working with the MTA for LIRR's marketing of the trolley service from rail stations to large scheduled local events. However, the MTA requires an 8 or 9 month lead time for the implementation of marketing programs. He also reported that there was no fare charged for the trolley service and that average Saturday ridership for each trip was about 30. Among the ridership were those travelling to lodgings, wineries and galleries. However, parking for many of those riders remains and issue and large parking areas in Southold and Riverhead should be utilized for that purpose. A Tourist Marketing District composed of the East End Tourism Alliance and the five East End towns should be considered and subsidized by a 3 percent lodging tax. It is understood that a $150,000 grant is being sought for the 2018 season. The TMD would coordinate with the towns concerning their desires and suggestions. Among the suggestions for 2018 service improvements were: • Inputs from the Town of Southold and the Village of Greenport; • Trolley stops at visitors' information booths and signage kiosks, as well as at the Moore's Lane farmers' market and at the North Ferry in Greenport; • The use of actual trolley vehicles without usage of large coach buses so as to alleviate traffic safety and emergency services access concerns. Mr. Kennedy departed the meeting at 10:33 AM. 1 Traffic Summit— February 28, 2018 - Review Ms. Murray of the EMCA addressed the issue of the Lavender Farm. She reported that the 2017 July 4th weekend saw the biggest activity at that venue. Moreover, while traffic congestion lessened and parking was better, there were 20 minute traffic backups on SR25 east and west of the venue. The Lavender Farm conducts a year-round marketing program not only in the NYC metro area, but also nationwide. It was suggested that the Greenport School parking lot be used as an off-site parking venue. Chief Flatley reported that LF has on-site-parking for about 150 cars and in 2017 Southold PD had deployed 3 or 4 men for that venue, for which about$6,000 in overtime had been billed to LF. Neb advised that the Supervisor feels that there is no easy solution to the traffic and parking problems. However, Chief Flatley suggested that the Supervisor should meet with EMCA to discuss those issues. March 9, 2018 -Traffic Summit Follow-Up Meeting - Town Hall Called to Order: 12:08 PM by Transportation Commission Chairman Neb Brashich. Attendees Supervisor Scott Russell, Councilman William Ruland, Town Engineer Jamie Richter, Police Chief Martin Flatley, Planning Director Heather Lanza, Jim Kalin, and Tom Fox. Discussion of the Traffic Summit of February 28, 2018 In addition to the above Southold attendees, the Supervisor and a Councilwoman of Riverhead, the Mayor and a Trustee of Greenport, representatives OF NYS and SC legislators, NYSDOT and SCDPW, Riverhead Police, NY State Police and Suffolk County Sheriff were in attendance. The summit focused on North Fork weekend traffic issues during the peak tourist season. Attendees at the Summit will be provided with the minutes. Attendees at this meeting had previously been provided with draft minutes of the Traffic Summit. Chairman Brashich called for this meeting to discuss the Traffic Summit and to solicit the Supervisor's thoughts concerning short term solutions to the traffic problems. The Supervisor observed that citizen complaints about Main Road traffic problems are now about equal to those about the North Road. He also asserted that a four-lane reconstruction of the North Road was not a workable solution to current traffic issues. Chief Flatley noted that traffic congestion on the Main Road largely arises from traffic overflow from Sound Avenue in way of the Harbes venues. He also advised that Harbes had paid for Southold PD costs for traffic control over the 2017 Columbus Day weekend. The Supervisor noted that SPD Traffic Control Officers should be employed longer into the autumn farm and winery tourism season. He also contrasted the hourly cost for a TCO with that of a Police Officer. Tom Fox endorsed the suggestion of the Riverhead Police Chief concerning east-bound only left turns from the Harbes parking lot on the south side of Sound Avenue. 2 Neb Brashich noted that Suffolk County is the largest agricultural county in NYS and is now moving into "agritourism". The congestion traffic congestion arising from that development has had an impact on other farmers. The Supervisor suggested that the Town Code should be amended to allow for the assessment of any extra costs to a business associated with traffic control at their venues. Jamie Richter suggested that TCO's should be utilized for more effective traffic control. Chief Flatley reported that in September 2017, he had observed bumper to bumper traffic on Peconic Bay Boulevard from South Jamesport Avenue to Hubbard Avenue and onward to CR105. He also noted that two four-way stop signs at Peconic Bay Boulevard at South Jamesport Avenue adversely impacted traffic flow. The Supervisor observed that the owners of the Lavender Farm in East Marion do not own any property on the north side of SR25. Councilman Ruland suggested that the Polo Grounds on Moore's Lane in Greenport might be used for off-site parking for Lavender Farm, with shuttle buses providing access to the venue. He also noted that local school boards should be contacted concerning the use of their parking lots to alleviate parking problems. Neb Brashich noted that the Strawberry Festival in Mattituck had been successful in encouraging visitors to use designated off-site parking and Jim Kalin reported that 10 shuttle buses had been used in that service. Chief Flatley reported that he had been working with the Riverhead PD on solutions to the parking problems at the Harbes' venues on Sound Avenue. Moreover, although there may be the possibility for the use of Harbes property on the south side of Sound Avenue for additional parking, that property is owned by a different Harbes entity and consent from that entity would be required. The Supervisor noted that the Harbes venue in Jamesport could accommodate about 1,300 cars. Heather Lanza suggested that the usage of traffic cones on Sound Avenue might provide an extra vehicle travel lane. However, Chief Flatley noted that the absence of meaningful shoulders on that roadway did not lend itself to that solution. The issue of using school parking lots was again discussed. Chief Flatley noted that Greenport school parking lots have been widely used for local events. It was agreed that local school boards should be invited to future meetings. Chief Flatley suggested that the best short term solution to control traffic flow is the increased use of TCO's by Southold and Riverhead PD's. Councilman Ruland questioned whether CSF traffic could be diverted from Sound Avenue to SR25. The Chief replied that GPS routing is a big problem in creating traffic congestion. Mr. Ruland and Tom Fox also suggested that a legislative solution should be considered. Tom Fox noted that Suffolk County Transit had not been invited to the Traffic Summit. Jim Kalin noted SCT routinely adjusts its schedules seasonally. 3 The attendance of the business community at the next Traffic Summit was discussed and that the Commission's next meeting of March 19, 2018 would consider that issue. The Supervisor will provide Neb Brashich with a list of representatives of the business and farming communities for invitations. However, another meeting of Riverhead, Southold and Greenport government and police representatives should be convened with business and farming invitees. The meeting was adjourned at 1:32 PM. Traffic Meeting — March 26, 2018 at 6:30— Mattituck & Laurel Civic Association The meeting will be held at the Mattituck Presbyterian Church. Some members of the Town Board and of the Transportation Commission will attend. Current Transportation Issues- Updates Love Lane Report by Dunn Jamie Richter reported the Dunn Report requires more clarity and a revision has been requested. Neb inquired about the impact on traffic on Love Lane and SR25 during the reconstruction period. He also advised that federal funding for the project would be limited to 20 percent. Councilman Ruland suggested that a rotary at location should be preferred over traffic signals. Peconic Water Taxi Proposal Ms. Phillips reported that the VGPT Board had determined that usage at the marina was fully allocated and any water taxi operator must seek an independent dock for that service. Tom Fox observed that the development of terminals for any kind of vessel operations was a nationwide problem, without an easy solution. No further status report has been received from Hampton Jitney concerning its interest in water taxi service. New Suffolk Beach and Boat Ramp - Update Jim Baker's note to the Supervisor suggested that a change in personnel status should be implemented for more effective supervision at the New Suffolk Beach and Boat Ramp. In that regard, a uniformed "adult" might be seen as more authoritative in that role than the current usage of young people. Jamie Richter noted that there are no boat ramp fees and that a permit, which would not be available at the boat entrance, should be required. Jim Baker noted that the Town Comprehensive Draft does not mention boat ramps. Planning Board Requests Town Comprehensive Plan Heather Lanza discussed the draft plan outline. As there is a relatively small budget for this project, the chosen consultants, AKRF, will use existing data, goals and directions, as well as and the inventory of traffic and infrastructure systems. They will also identify areas of concern. AKRF has previously done work for the Town, Suffolk County and LIRR and will work on a flat fee basis, with 5 or 6 people working on the project at their Hauppauge office. Mary Bess Phillips suggested that traffic ingress and egress issues should be considered for Greenport. Nick Mazzaferro also .suggested that a Table of Contents should be included in the plan. As Heather Lanza will on vacation during the month of April 2018, a sub-group of the Commission and a representative of Greenport may meet with AKRF as necessary. 4 Neb suggested that the trolley shuttle should also stop at Hampton Jitney stops. However, the Town cannot determine shuttle routes and stops. Councilman Ruland observed that local business interests should decide how to operate the shuttle. Ms. Phillips noted that, while the NFPC is seeking funding for its operations, no allocation for that has been made in the VGPT budget. AKRF Consultant Matt Carmody then joined the meeting. Neb observed that the North Fork had become a "destination" and that local residents as well as business interests should have inputs to the Plan. Mr. Carmody reported on how AKRF will proceed and report on its progress to the Commission. Neb Brashich, Nick Mazzaferro and Jim Baker will serve as the Commissions contacts with AKRF. Minutes of the Traffic Summit will be provided to AKRF. AKRF will download relevant Town documents in order to gather useful existing data. Heather Lanza will work to secure the release of Suffolk County tax maps. Neb noted that NYS "Scenic Byway" documents are available for consideration. Jamie Richter noted that the plan must be ADA-compliant. Moreover, due diligence and updating of records are essential for proper execution of the Plan. GPS and "WAZE" traffic "apps" contribute greatly to traffic problems and their impacts must be addressed in the Plan. However, appropriate local signage should be used to warn of vehicle- routing prohibitions. Moreover, means for the overriding of traffic "apps" should be considered. Mr. Carmody referred to Section I on page 2 of AKRF's Work Plan concerning the development of a checklist for the inventory of Traffic Systems and Infrastructure. Jamie Richter noted that the maintenance and repair of New York State and Suffolk County infrastructure are major issues for local governments. Jamie further observed that the Love Lane study would be provided to AKRF after requested changes and approval by the Town Board. He also suggested that the previous "Shady Lady" traffic study in way of CR48 and SR25 in Greenport would be useful. Old Business None. New Business None. Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for April 23, 2018 at 10:00 AM in the conference room at Town Hall. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 PM. cc: Town Clerk Respectfully submitted, Thomas F. Fox 5 co id aW LL \ o LL i � + Z i NEW STOP SIGN Ll I i I ( I I a PARKING PARKING f� f� OLD SOUND AVENUE �� �� ♦� PARKING PARKING NEW SIGN PAINTED WHITE LINES ONE WAY - DO NOT ENTER OLD SOUND AVENUE PAINTING SCHEME OFFICE LOCATION: MAILING ADDRESS: Town Hall Annex *0 so yo P.O. Box 1179 54375 State Route 25 �Q �� Southold,NY 11971 (cor.Main Rd. &Youngs Ave.) Southold, NY Telephone: 631 765-1938 N www.southoldtowuny.gov G • �Q �olyCo u�m, PLANNING BOARD OFFICE TOWN OF SOUTHOLD MEMORANDUM To: Transportation Commission Members From: Brian Cummings, Planne)r-� Date: April 6, 2018 Subject: Proposed Residential Site Plan for Vineyard View Located at 62600 CR 48, ±1,600' n/e/o Chapel Lane & CR 48, Greenport SCTM#1000-40.-3-1 Zoning District: Hamlet Density - HD The Planning Board refers this application to you for your information, comments, review, and a determination of jurisdiction. For your convenience and due to the size of \the application materials, we have provided directions below to access the entire file online. For further information or for an original set of plans, please feel free to contact this office. This proposed Residential Site Plan is for a 50 unit workforce rental housing development including 14 one-bedroom units, 22 two-bedroom units and 14 three- bedroom units, a 2,649 sq. ft. community center, 111 parking spaces of which 97 are associated with the dwelling units, 7 are associated with the community center and 7 are land banked; and various other associated site improvements, on a vacant 17.19- acre parcel of which 10 acres will be preserved as open space (6.3 acres upland and 3.7 acres wetlands), in the Hamlet Density (HD) Zoning District. The property is located at 62600 CR 48, ±1,600' n/e/o Chapel Lane and County Route 48, Greenport. Laserfiche: Planning, Applications, Site Plans, Pending, SCTM#1000-40.-3-1 Thank you for your cooperation. /ork'Set To Begin On Pike Street Parking Lot I North Fork,NY Patch https://patch.com/new-york/northfork/work-set-begin-pike-street-park.. .s Pdhla5 Gwmn M(NRPaJ/Patdccm—„ khwftwk/pdWts) Work Set To Begin On Pike Street Parking Lot "Parking is scarce in the hamlet;we need to take advantage of any opportunities to improve and expand what we do have.'—Scott Russell. By tlsa Fkvc Patin Sten(ht4WJ/PatdkconwsosnlsaM n%eWec)IApr 20.22051 MS9 nn Er I Updaed Apr 21,20155.9520 Er f t /sharer.p �t //patch.m ' /new- york/nortl 40.00' _ '+ Avork- pfl- li zoeea •t Fyn _ - � - (1 WW"g- !i S ...........�...... ! (https)/M � anent A-0te, I I 1 //Patch.[. york/nord Avork- begin- pike- meet- parking- MATMUCR,NY—Work is set to begin on the Pike Street parking lot lot) in Mattituck,beginning on Tuesday,April 29- G• To that end,the parking lot will be dosed for approximately two weeks; PatpsJ/dus gong Zvehides must be removed that time. /share7urMhttps%3A during //patch.cc- The total cost of the project,Southold Town Government liaison Denis yorkmormfork Noncarrow said,is$76,000,with approximately S6o,000 garnered Avork- set- from a Suffolk County downtown revitalization grant The project "- encompasses making the parking lot ADA compliant,with about u pike meet- exb spaces,as well as drainage work in the southeast comer,he said. parking. Also included in the work will be new curbing and sidewalks,beginning lot& - t-workskzosetskrordeR �� The lot had been in need of drainage,upgrades and repairs for some (httpJAvww .r .Mdklne,Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said."Now that the town Ih?J t2ud.https //patch.com is the owner of the parking lot,we can make store that these /new- york/nartnrark improvements get done.Puking is scarce in the hamlet so we Deed to A—k- take advantage of any opportunities that we can to improve and expand se- beg— - what we do have.We are gSuffolk rateful to Suolk Co begin unty legislator Al pike Rrupski,who was able to secure the funding for the gram.” meet- wddns- Residents with questions are asked to tall Nontarrow at 63r-765-58o6. lots otic=work%2OSet%2oTo%208egin%2ODnWO' 12aanees+nwar/irg1110 a Subscribe >(f) (maiho:hubje work%2%et%20ro%2osegin%200n9L20Plke%20WeeMMParldng%Zotot& booty-Work%2 e%2050tet%20P.M.g%2oLm %OD%0A %OD%aA More from North Fork Patch tk22P "••e%201n%20the%20handet %3B%20we %20take%202dN ntage%20oM20arry%2ooppatmltim%20to%2mmprme%20arN%20eapand%2owhat%2owe%20do%20have. %z2stzo ske2%eo %0D%QA ✓newyork/northforkhotMddtown-pace-carinwlued-riuerheadcrasMcops) %0D%0Ahtq Jroatchmm Southold Town Police Car Involved In Riverhead Crash:Cops (https://patch.com/new-york/northfork/southold-town- yorwnwtnrork police-car-involved-riverhead-crash-cops) begin Drunk Driver pkt Cuffed In We" Greenport:Cops weld"g. maps://patch.com/n wyorkmonhrorkhWnk-drt er ffed-greenpwr ops0) O) (https:/Ipatch.com/new-york/northfork/drunk-driver-cuffed- *� greenport-cops-0) Watch Stolen ;u In Burglary That Led To (https://patch.commewyorkhwthrtuk/wtd.soler.burgL ylediwi s-death-cops)Priest's Death:Cops(https://patch.com/new-york/northfork/watch- (https: of 3 4/23/2018,9:23 AM