20231115 - CSAC Minutes

CSAC MEETING MINUTES

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

Members in Attendance: Barbara Sacks, John Prieto, Anastasia Bamberg, Henry Ratcliffe, Shayan Farooqi, Jane Remis, Sheila Brogan (BOE), John Ward (RPD), Chris Piersa (engineering), James Judge (HSA)

Visitors: Rurik Halaby, Julia Bruno

A.     PUBLIC COMMENT

Julia Bruno voiced a concern that the new road markings at the intersection of Hamilton and Morningside negatively impacted safety due to drivers ignoring the lines and the Stop sign. Suggestions included putting cones in place temporarily until local drivers become aware of the lines, installing a portable traffic sign indicating “new traffic pattern – follow markings”, a blinking stop sign, painting STOP on the pavement and sending a letter to homeowner whose bushes create a sight obstruction.

RPD will patrol the area at peak times to observe and will do a traffic study at the intersection if equipment is available.

B.     OLD BUSINESS

1.     Hamilton and Morningside: Road striping has been added as a traffic calming measure.  See above for discussion.

2.     Sight triangle Obstructions:  Notices have been sent out to 73 homeowners out of a total of 113 residences with sight obstructions. About 20 residents have complied so far and 2^nd notices will be issued to non-compliant households on an undisclosed date. Some of the intersections receiving priority (due to a higher number of accidents and proximity to schools) are Northern/Linwood, East Glen/Fairfield, Godwin/Lake and Doremus/Ackerman. New construction at North Van Dien and Overbrook may have pillars in violation of sight triangle rules. Engineering will look into it.

3.     Lighting in CBD: Engineering sent PSE&G a list of all street lights that are out.  Some have already been repaired with brighter bulbs.  RPD night crew will check this month on which lamp posts are still dark and send a follow up request for action.  Engineering requested double globe lights at some intersections. RPD will request a spotlight at the intersection of Broad and Franklin.

RPD reported that there have been 808 accidents, and 3,956 motor vehicle stops in the CBD over the past 5 years (out of a total of 3763 accidents and 18,364 motor vehicle stops village wide).  One officer is assigned to the CBD all day.

4.      Clinton Avenue:  no new complaints have been received since new signs were installed.

5.     Bellair Road: there is a concern about the extent of resident support. Engineering intends to send a notice with a proposed plan to get feedback from local residents.

6.     Glen at Bogart: yellow and black pedestrian signs have been mounted on the corners. There are also digital speed signs in each direction on Glen.

7.     Franklin Ave. extension at North Irving: Engineering found an ordinance for a Stop sign at the intersection, so one will be ordered and installed to replace the one that is missing on the dead end portion of Franklin Ave.

8.     West Glen Sidewalks: Engineering stated that there is a need for additional funding for a retaining wall.  There have been discussions with local residents.  Lorraine will be talking to village manager about ordering materials.

9.     Village Pedestrian Safety survey and plan: Rurik Halaby requested that the village review CBD intersections for possible improvements.  Some intersections are under county jurisdiction, so we would have to coordinate with county to make changes.

10.  Kingsbridge Road Pedestrian Bridge: the plan is to repair rather than replace the bridge, since replacement would be too costly and difficult to comply with ADA standards.  It will be in the budget for 2024, so this item will be removed from the agenda until that time.

11.  CBDAC report: Snowflake and banners to be placed on light poles together for the holidays.  Pedestrian tunnel is more involved than first thought, so CBDAC is looking into Arts grants with a projected start of repairs and rehab anticipated for 2025. Parking in the CBD will be free on Thursday nights through the holidays. ParkMobile contract has been extended.

12.  SRTS grants: Roads slated for improvement are North Monroe, Franklin Turnpike, Grove St., East Glen at Bogart and others. Final engineering plans in progress with start date hopefully for 2024, so this item will be removed from the agenda until then.

C.     NEW BUSINESS

1.     A severe accident took place on Maple near the library on October 30 resulting in serious pedestrian injuries.  The existing pedestrian crosswalk signal was not activated and a summons for failure to stop for pedestrians was issued to the driver.

2.     A traffic study in the area of Eastside Ave. and Alanon Rd. (in response to residents’ requests) found an average speed of 24 mph. 98% of drivers were traveling under the speed limit. With 150 homes in the neighborhood and a low volume of cars, a “no right turn” ordinance at Grove St. and Eastside would negatively impact the local residents. No corrective action is recommended.

3.     Heights Rd. Closure on Halloween resulted in safety improvements for the many trick or treaters in the neighborhood.  It was requested that this practice continue.

4.     It was requested that the village consider moving the right hand stop line forward at Garber Square turning right onto West Ridgewood Avenue to make pedestrians crossing westbound more visible. Engineering will investigate.

NEXT MEETING: MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023