Traffic Commission Agendas and Minutes

Page 1 of 5 July 20, 2020 MINUTES OF THE COHOES TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MONDAY JULY 20, 2020 IN ROOM 20 OF COHOES CITY HALL AT 4:02 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Paul Johnston City Planner Joseph Seman-Graves Fire Chief Joseph Fahd Commissioner Stephen Hennessey MEMBERS ABSENT: Sergeant John Shanahan ALSO PRESENT: Theresa Flatley, Recording Secretary CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 15, 2020 MEETING Chairman Johnston asked if there were any comments, questions or concerns regarding the minutes as presented. As there were no questions, concerns or comments, Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the minutes. Joseph Seman-Graves seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF ALL WAY SIGNS AT THE LANCASTER STREET AND NEWARK STREET INTERSECTION This request was submitted by Chairman Johnston. Chairman Johnston stated that this intersection is a three-way stop intersection with the fourth leg of the intersection being one-way away from the intersection. MUTCD details that All Way signs are required at intersections that are controlled by Stop signs in every direction. The Chairman’s recommendation was to install the All Way signs in accordance with Attachment A to the agenda. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request to install All Way signs in accordance with Attachment A to the agenda. Joseph Seman-Graves seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed. CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF ALL WAY SIGNS AT THE CONGRESS STREET AND NEWARK STREET INTERSECTION This request was submitted by Chairman Johnston. Chairman Johnston stated that this intersection is a two-way stop intersection with the other two legs of the intersection one-way away from the intersection. MUTCD details that All Way signs are required at intersections that are controlled by Stop signs in every direction. The Chairman’s recommendation was to install the All Way signs in accordance with Attachment B to the agenda.  Page 2 of 5 July 20, 2020 Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request to install All Way signs in accordance with Attachment B to the agenda. Joseph Seman-Graves seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed. CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF DEER CROSSING WARNING SIGNS ON COLUMBIA STREET This request was submitted by Kelly Daigneault. Ms. Daigneault’s application states that she is concerned about the safety of motorists and deer and is requesting the signs in the vicinity of #389 Columbia Street. Chairman Johnston stated that with increase in development in Cohoes and neighboring communities the deer are encroaching into City neighborhoods that they previously wouldn’t have entered. Deer sightings throughout the City have increased. However, in accord with MUTCD, the Deer Crossing warning sign should be used only after deer crossing locations have carefully been determined and there is evidence, such as wildlife accidents or local wildlife sightings, that motorist warning is necessary. Additionally, the regional wildlife manager of the Department of Environmental Conservation should be consulted in determining locations where wildlife crossing signs would be appropriate. As the deer sightings throughout the City are random and sporadic, currently there is no evidence of a need for the warning signs; the Chairman’s recommendation was to deny the request. Chief Fahd made a motion to deny the request for Deer Crossing warning signs in the vicinity of #389 Columbia Street. Joseph Seman-Graves seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A DRIVEWAY AT #4 FOREST AVENUE The request was submitted by Lucas Pistone of #4 Forest Avenue for the installation of a driveway of 19 feet. No curb cut is required as the existing pavement is flush with the curb. The driveway would be located on the west side of the property as detailed in the sketch attached to the agenda. Chairman Johnston stated that he had looked at the location and the request will have no adverse effect on on-street parking. The Chairman’s recommendation was to approve the request for a driveway of 19 feet in accordance with the photo attached to the agenda, the driveway being constructed out of a typical driveway construction material of either asphalt, concrete or other approved hard surface material and contingent upon receipt of a City building permit and any requisite variances that may be required from the Zoning Board. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request for a driveway of 19 feet at #4 Forest Avenue in accordance with the photo attached to the agenda, the driveway being constructed out of typical driveway construction materials of either asphalt, concrete or  Page 3 of 5 July 20, 2020 other approved hard surface material and contingent on receipt of a City building permit and any requisite variances that may be required from the Zoning Board. Joseph Seman-Graves seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A DRIVEWAY AT #21 GANSEVOORT AVENUE The request was submitted by Kevin & Theresa Flatley of #21 Gansevoort Avenue for the installation of two driveways for the new house they are constructing at this location. No curb cut is required as there is no curb on this street. The sketch that is attached to the agenda details the locations where the two driveways will be constructed. Both driveways will be 20 feet in width. Chairman Johnston stated that he had looked at the location and the request will have no adverse effects on on-street parking as all the houses on this street have driveways. The Chairman’s recommendation was to approve the request for two driveways of 20 feet in width, in accordance with the sketch attached to the agenda, the driveway being constructed out of a typical driveway construction material of either asphalt, concrete or other approved hard surface material and contingent upon receipt of a City building permit and any requisite variances that may be required from the Zoning Board. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request for two 20 feet wide driveways at #21 Gansevoort Avenue in accordance with the sketch attached to the agenda, the driveways being constructed out of a typical driveway construction material of either asphalt, concrete or other approved hard surface material and contingent upon receipt of a City building permit and any requisite variances that may be required from the Zoning Board. Joseph Seman-Graves seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A DRIVEWAY AT #101 VLIET BLVD. The request was submitted by Joshua Adkins of #101 Vliet Blvd. for the installation of a driveway of 16 feet. The driveway would be located on the east side of the property as detailed in the photos attached to the agenda. The applicant states that the driveway will be constructed out of compacted crusher run material. Chairman Johnston stated that he had looked at the location and the request will have no adverse effect on on-street parking. He also stated that typical city residential driveways are constructed out of asphalt or concrete. Field inspection reveals that the existing crusher run material is being tracked into the street creating a city maintenance problem The Chairman’s recommendation was to approve the request for a driveway of 16 feet, in accordance with the photos attached to the agenda, constructed of typical driveway materials of either asphalt, concrete or other approved hard surface material and  Page 4 of 5 July 20, 2020 contingent upon receipt of a City building permit and any requisite variances that may be required from the Zoning Board. Also the existing concrete sidewalk is to remain and not be removed. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request for a driveway of 16 feet at #101 Vliet Blvd. in accordance with the photos attached to the agenda, constructed of typical driveway materials of either asphalt, concrete or other approved hard surface material and contingent upon receipt of a City building permit and any requisite variances that may be required from the Zoning Board. Also the existing concrete sidewalk is to remain and not be removed. Joseph Seman-Graves seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A STREET CLOSURE ON REMSEN STREET BETWEEN NEWCOMB STREET AND ONTARIO STREET This request was submitted by Kelsey Knutsen of the Café Monocle. The closure request was to permit the restaurant to have in-street dining to celebrate Café Monocle’s one year anniversary. The proposed closure would be on Saturday August 15, 2020 between the hours of 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Chairman Johnston stated that the Commission last month approved a Remsen Street closure for Friday August 14 between the hours of 3:30 PM to 10:00 PM. This would be a closure for two consecutive days and for a lengthy time period and one that would severely impact CDTA services to downtown residents. The Chairman and other members felt that the anniversary celebration could be combined with the already approved Friday August 14th closure. Additionally, he stated that Mayor Keeler did not support this closure. The Chairman’s recommendation was to deny the request for the closure. Chief Fahd made a motion to deny the request for the street closure on Remsen Street between Newcomb and Ontario Streets on August 15, 2020. Joseph Seman-Graves seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A STREET CLOSURE ON REMSEN STREET BETWEEN NEWCOMB STREET AND ONTARIO STREET This request was submitted by Kelsey Knutsen of the Café Monocle. The closure request was to permit the restaurant to have in-street dining for a private event. The closure would allow the setting up of tents, tables and chairs in the middle of Remsen Street. The proposed closure would be on Sunday August 16, 2020 between the hours of 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Chairman Johnston stated that historically the Commission has never approved street closures for private events. Additionally, he stated that Mayor Keeler did not support this closure. The Chairman’s recommendation was to deny the request for the closure.  Page 5 of 5 July 20, 2020 Chief Fahd made a motion to deny the request for the street closure on Remsen Street between Newcomb and Ontario Streets on August 15, 2020. Joseph Seman-Graves seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed. Since there was no further business on the agenda, Chairman Johnston stated that the next meeting of the Traffic Commission would be held on August 17, 2020 at 4:00 PM. Chairman Johnston made a motion to adjourn. Chief Fahd seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 4:11 PM.