BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 18, 2012
ATTENDANCE:
D. ABRAHAM J. ARMER J. COHN
D. GORDON S. LONIAL A. MCKNIGHT
T. MISKEL M. PETTIT G. REILLY
R. RIGOLLI M. SILVERMAN J. THOMPSON
EXCUSED:
W. BLUM E. MCCLURE R. SLOANE
ABSENT:
E. ANDERSON M. CHIRICO D. DECOSTANZO
D. GIULIANO K. KRASE
GUESTS:
H. FINK – REP. FROM NYS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
R. VIOLA – REP. FROM DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
***MINUTES***
The meeting was called to order at 6:40pm.
Presentation and discussion with representatives for the New York State Department of Transportation on upcoming construction planned for the Gowanus Expressway and associated local impacts in our district.
Presentation was made by New York State Department of Transportation regarding the Gowanus Expressway Project.
Accompanying PowerPoint described the 30 month project to begin in Spring of 2013. Westbound lane closures will begin on specific weekends in 2014. Eastbound lane closures will begin in 2015.
TEA’s will be control traffic on the weekends when lanes are closed and will be placed on Atlantic Avenue, Van Brunt, Columbia and Degraw Streets to ensure safer traffic on overflow areas during lane closures on the Expressway.
They were asked to coordinate with Brooklyn Bridge construction as well as Barclays Center events.
Presentation and discussion with representatives for the New York State Department of Transportation on the Boerum Hill Neighborhood Slow Zone, an initiative to improve safety by reducing vehicular travel speeds on residential blocks,
Presentation was made by NYC DOT regarding new Neighborhood Slow Zone in Boerum Hill.
The Boerum Hill Association asked for the Neighborhood Slow Zone and DOT is planning on implementing it between November 2012 (speed humps) and Spring 2013 (signage).
Neighborhood Slow Zones: establish speed limit to 20 MPH, introduce signage at gateways of the zone and introduction of speed “humps” into zone area. At entrances narrow the roadway to further indicate the change from non-zone to zone.
The idea is supported by Assembly Member Joan Millman and State Senator Velmanette Montgomery.
The proposed Zone is bounded by Atlantic Avenue, Smith Street, 3rd Avenue, Union Street.
No speed humps on bus routes.
Motion to approve with enthusiasm was made by Jerry Armer.
Matthew Silverman offered up a friendly amendment to make the areas at the gateways, which as part of the project will be narrowed down, either permeable or green surfaces due to the proximity to the Canal.
This was not accepted as friendly and was not part of the resolution.
A “greening” (planters or other such non-necessarily permanent) amendment was accepted and included in the resolution which states:
Motion: We enthusiastically support the introduction of a Neighborhood Slow Zone to the area bounded by Atlantic, Union, 3rd and Smith Streets and encourage DOT to provide green measures at the gateways/entrances to the zone.
MOTION PASSED: Passed 11-0
Minutes from the last meeting were amended to include the fact that Tom Miskel did provide an orientation at the last meeting.
There being no further business to come before the committee the meeting was adjourned.
Minutes submitted by Sayar Lonial.