Traffic Commission Agendas and Minutes

Page 1 of 6 October 23, 2023 MINUTES OF THE COHOES TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MONDAY OCTOBER 23, 2023 IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF COHOES CITY HALL AT 3:08 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Paul Johnston Sergeant Michael Kendrick City Planner Joseph Seman-Graves Commissioner Stephen Hennessey MEMBERS ABSENT: Fire Chief Joseph Fahd ALSO PRESENT: Theresa Flatley, Recording Secretary John Dicocco Rob Wattsman NEW BUSINESS CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 28, 2023 MEETING Chairman Johnston explained that these minutes were originally approved at last month’s meeting but after further review he found that the approval of the curb cut for #38 Edward Street had been inadvertently omitted. Chairman Johnston asked if there were any comments, questions or concerns regarding the revised minutes as published. As there were no questions, concerns or comments, Joseph Seman-Graves made a motion to approve the minutes. Sergeant Kendrick seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 MEETING Chairman Johnston asked if there were any comments, questions or concerns regarding the minutes as published. As there were no questions, concerns or comments, Joseph Seman-Graves made a motion to approve the minutes. Sergeant Kendrick seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF THE WHITE STREET RECONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC PLANS This request was submitted by Chazen Engineering & Surveying. Chairman Johnston stated that he has been consulting with city planners, the city engineer and Chazen Companies on the final traffic plans for the White Street reconstruction project. The traffic plans are now acceptable to the City. The Chairman’s recommendation was to  Page 2 of 6 October 23, 2023 approve plan sheets C120, C500 and C501 dated March 31, 2023 and that were attached to the agenda. Joseph Seman-Graves made a motion to approve the request to approve the traffic plans for the White Street reconstruction. Sergeant Kendrick seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF A STOP BAR ON CENTRAL AVENUE AT THE COLUMBIA STREET INTERSECTION This request was submitted by Rob Wattsman representing Fire Union Local 2562. Mr. Wattsman states that a stop bar is necessary on Central Avenue so that fire trucks can safely make a right turn onto Central Avenue from eastbound Columbia Street. Chairman Johnston stated that records detail that there was a stop bar at this intersection but that a recent paving project removed the stop bar and it has yet to be re-installed. The Corporation Counsel has advised that Traffic Commission review and approval is not necessary for the re-establishment of the stop bar that was temporarily removed for the maintenance repaving of this or any other street. Based on the Corporation Counsel’s opinion, the Chairman’s recommendation was to take no action on this request. Joseph Seman-Graves made a motion to take no action on this request. Sergeant Kendrick seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion to take no action passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF THE LAURA DRIVE APARTMENT COMPLEX TRAFFIC PLANS This request was submitted by Fred Sharifipour the developer of the Laura Drive apartment project. Chairman Johnston stated that he has been working with the city planners, the city engineer and the developer’s consultant to develop the final traffic plans for the apartment complex. The traffic plans are now acceptable to the City. Because of the narrowness of Laura Drive, the street will be made one way south from Kosciusko Avenue to Meadow Street. Left turns onto Meadow Street will be prohibited making all traffic exit onto Ontario Street via Pulaski Avenue. Chairman Johnston opened the floor to public comments at 3:12 PM. John Dicocco questioned if the signal at the Page Avenue intersection would be restored to three- color operation once the project is completed. The Chairman stated no and that there currently were no warrants for the signal in accord with the MUTCD. Commissioner Hennessey stated that the signal was originally installed for the nearby school which is  Page 3 of 6 October 23, 2023 no longer in existence. John Dicocco questioned if Laura Drive would be widened or repaved. Chairman Johnston stated that the developer was given the option of widening the street or to make it one-way south. Improving the driveway onto Pulaski was ruled out as the ground beneath the existing driveway was rock and would require significant excavation to create a satisfactory driveway profile. This would eliminate a portion of the parking lot. John Dicocco questioned if residents were still going to be able to park behind their garages on Laura Drive. Chairman Johnston stated that as long as they continued to park as they have been, there would be no conflicts. Additionally, Joseph Seman-Graves stated that the plan is to prohibit parking in front of the building so that residents can still park behind their garages. Chairman Johnston stated that the footprint of Laura Drive will be roughly the same as no pavement improvements are planned. There were numerous comments regarding drainage and other non-traffic items. Chairman Johnston closed the floor to public comment at 3:18 PM. The Chairman’s recommendation was to approve plan sheet “SIGN” dated September 19, 2023 and designed by Advance Engineering & Surveying, PLLC and that was attached to the agenda. Joseph Seman-Graves made a motion to approve the request to approve the traffic plan for the Laura Drive apartment complex. Sergeant Kendrick seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A STREET CLOSURE OF REMSEN STREET BETWEEN COLUMBIA AND CAYUGA STREETS This request was submitted by Steve Napier of the Cohoes Local Development Corp. The closure request was to permit the Small Business Saturday to have in-street dining. The closure will be on Saturday November 25th between the hours of 9 AM to 5 PM. Howard, White and Ontario Streets will remain open to traffic. Newcomb Street will be partially closed allowing only access to the Matchbox parking lot. Chairman Johnston stated that the Traffic Commission has historically approved closures of Remsen Street and prohibited parking where necessary for other City endorsed public events. The Chairman’s recommendation was to approve the request contingent on notification to CDTA of the proposed closure. Joseph Seman-Graves made a motion to approve the request for the street closure of Remsen Street and to prohibit parking between Columbia and Cayuga Streets on Saturday November 25, 2023 between the hours of 9 AM to 5 PM. Sergeant Kendrick seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A STREET CLOSURE OF SENECA STREET, BETWEEN REMSEN AND MOHAWK STREETS, REMSEN STREET BETWEEN  Page 4 of 6 October 23, 2023 ONTARIO AND CAYUGA STREETS AND A TEMPORARY NO PARKING PROHIBITION ON MOHAWK STREET AND SENECA STREET ADJACENT TO SILLIMAN PARK FOR THE ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY This request was submitted by Kathleen LaBombard of the Mayor’s Office. Ms. LaBombard is requesting that Seneca Street between Remsen Street and Mohawk Street, Remsen Street between Ontario and Cayuga Streets be closed to traffic and a temporary parking prohibition on Mohawk Street and Seneca Street adjacent to Silliman Park be approved to permit the annual Cohoes Tree Lighting ceremony on Saturday November 25, 2023 between the hours of 4 PM to 7 PM. Chairman Johnston stated that the Traffic Commission has historically approved closures of streets, and to prohibit parking where necessary, for other City endorsed public events. The Chairman’s recommendation was to again approve the request contingent upon CDTA being notified of the closures. Joseph Seman-Graves made a motion to approve the request for the street closures of Seneca and Remsen Streets and the temporary no parking prohibition on Mohawk Street and Seneca Street on Saturday November 25, 2023 between the hours of 4 PM to 7 PM contingent upon CDTA being notified of the closures. Sergeant Kendrick seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF VARIOUS STREET CLOSURES AND TEMPORARY PARKING PROHIBITIONS FOR THE COHOES TURKEY TROT This request was submitted Kathleen LaBombard of the Mayor’s Office. Ms. LaBombard is requesting that various streets be closed and parking prohibited on various streets to permit the Thursday November 23, 2023 running of the Cohoes Turkey Trot. The race would be run between the hours of 7 AM to 12:30 PM. Chairman Johnston stated that the race would follow the same course as last year and would require the same closures and parking prohibitions. They are:  Mohawk Street between New Courtland Street and Columbia Street.  Remsen Street between Columbia Street and Cayuga Street.  Oneida Street at the Mohawk Street intersection.  Oneida Street at the Mohawk Street intersection.  Oneida Street at the Remsen Street intersection.  Newcomb Street at the Mohawk Street intersection.  Pine Street at the Mohawk Street intersection.  White Street at the Mohawk Street intersection.  Canvass Street at the Mohawk Street intersection.  Page 5 of 6 October 23, 2023  Howard Street at the Mohawk Street intersection.  Ontario Street between Congress Street and Van Rensselaer Street.  Newcomb Street at both sides of the Remsen Street intersection.  White Street at both sides of the Remsen Street intersection.  Howard Street at both sides of the Remsen Street intersection.  Seneca Street from Remsen Street to Mohawk Street.  Cayuga Street at the Mohawk Street intersection. The following streets would require a temporary no parking prohibition:  Mohawk Street from Ontario Street to Newcomb Street and in front of Silliman Park.  No Parking on Seneca Street.  No Parking on Remsen Street from Ontario Street to Seneca Street. The remaining streets that comprise the race route would not be closed to traffic and that the runners would run on the right side of the road and would share the road with traffic and be assisted by flaggers at intersections. Chairman Johnston stated that the Traffic Commission has historically approved closures of streets, and prohibit parking when necessary, for other City endorsed events. Chairman Johnston’s recommendation was to again approve the request contingent on CDTA being notified of the closures. Joseph Seman-Graves made a motion to approve the aforementioned street closures and parking prohibitions on Thursday November 23, 2023 between the hours of 7 AM to 12:30 PM contingent on CDTA being notified of the closures. Sergeant Kendrick seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A DRIVEWAY WIDENING AT #14 LEXINGTON ROAD The request was submitted by Joseph and Julieanne Maloney of 14 Lexington Road for the widening of their existing driveway by 10 feet to the east. Chairman Johnston stated that he had looked at the location and the request will have no adverse effect on on- street parking and will only improve it. The Chairman’s recommendation was to approve the request for the driveway widening of 10 feet, in accordance with the photo attached to the agenda, the driveway being constructed out of asphalt and contingent upon receipt of a City building permit. Joseph Seman-Graves made a motion to approve the request for the driveway widening of 10 feet to the east at #14 Lexington Road in accordance with the photo attached to the agenda, the driveway being constructed out of asphalt and contingent on receipt of  Page 6 of 6 October 23, 2023 a City building permit. Sergeant Kendrick seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF A RESIDENTIAL HANDICAP PARKING SIGN AT 120 LANCASTER STREET This request was submitted by Dawn Gamache for the installation of a Handicap Parking sign at 120 Lancaster Street. This item was tabled at last month’s meeting because the application was incomplete. Chairman Johnston stated that the application and the recommendation from the Center for Independence were now both in order with the City’s MIRA policy. However, the Chairman stated that in reviewing the application, Ms. Gamache states that she needs the sign because she had a knee replaced 5 years ago that still presents her with mobility problems. Additionally, the Chairman noted that the applicant lives in a three story apartment house but she failed to detail what floor she lives on and how many stairs she has to navigate to enter her apartment. Additionally, the applicants family physician details that she is only moderately limited in her abilities. The Chairman stated that he had previously discussed the applicant’s medical condition with Chief Fahd and he felt that medical technology has advanced to the degree where knee replacements are a common occurrence and where a patient’s health and mobility improves with the replacements and does not regress or revert. There was discussion amongst the Members about whether the applicant had a Handicap Parking window tag issued by the State and the procedures the applicant has to go through to receive approval for one. The Police Department confirmed that she does have an approved handicap parking window tag. Ultimately, the Chairman’s recommendation was to approve the request in accordance with Attachment “A” to the agenda. The sign will be installed on the west side of Lancaster Street as parking is prohibited on the east side. Joseph Seman-Graves made a motion to approve the request for a Residential Handicap Parking sign at 120 Lancaster Street in accordance with Attachment “A” to the agenda. Sergeant Kendrick seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Since there was no further business on the agenda, Chairman Johnston stated that the next meeting of the Traffic Commission would be on November 27, 2023 at 3 PM. Chairman Johnston made a motion to adjourn. Joseph Seman-Graves seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 3:29 PM.