BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 19, 2015
ATTENDANCE:
PRESENT:
J. ARMER S. AVERY P. BLAKE
B. CHANCEY D. GORDON K. GURL
E. MCCLURE T. MISKEL J. SMITH
U. ZIMMERMAN
EXCUSED:
D. DECOSTANZO M. MURPHY D. SCHNEIDER
R. SLOANE
ABSENT:
W. BLUM R. RIGOLLI M. SILVERMAN
J. THOMPSON
GUESTS:
L. BRANCH – REP. FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
R. CAHILL – REP. FOR THE NORTH FLATBUSH BID
J. ELLIS – REP. FOR THE NORTH FLATBUSH BID
***MINUTES***
Presentation and discussion with representatives for the Department of Design and Construction and the Department of Transportation on the preliminary designs for the Reconstruction of the 8th Avenue Triangle (Capital Project #BED798), a proposal to enlarge and transform the triangle island at 8th Avenue/Flatbush Avenue/St. John’s Place into an attractive and welcoming place by implementing landscape and urban design enhancements in a treatment consistent with the design of the 6th Avenue, 7th Avenue, and Carlton Avenue triangles.
Anne Berman (Landscape Architect) and Richard Egan (Civil Engineer) from Parsons (project contractor) presented the proposed redesign for the pedestrian triangle at the intersection of 8th Avenue and Flatbush Avenue. This redesign is part of a 25-year process initiated by the community. Designed in concert with three existing triangles at the intersections of Flatbush Avenue and 6th, 7th, and Carlton Avenues. The 8th Avenue triangle was originally part of the same project, but was postponed until the completion of a nearby water-main upgrade The redesigned triangle at 8th Avenue is intended to be a pedestrian-friendly refuge and will significantly increase the green planted area.
Features include: Lane narrowing adjacent to the triangle: 8th Avenue is reduced by 10ft. St. Johns Place is reduced up to 6 feet, tapering out. o Maintains current parking
o Built-in raised planters more than doubling the current permeable area o DOT bench seating o DOT bike racks o Waste receptacles o Relocation of street lights o A “cut-through” space for pedestrians between the planters, similar to the triangle on 6th Avenue, and unlike 7th Avenue o Continuous, uniform paving treatment o Existing plaque dedicated to William Gaynor, Mayor of New York City from 1910 to 1913, will be mounted on a pedestal and enhanced o Two curb extensions across the street from the triangle will be added to St. Johns Place and 8th Avenue in a separate project.
● Will narrowing 8th Avenue back up traffic? o DOT: No, no lanes are being removed o This will stop people from driving two to a lane ● Was permeable paving considered? o DOT: Permeable paving falls outside the standard DOT toolkit and would not be maintained by the agency. The North Flatbush Avenue BID, which has agreed to maintain the block, cannot afford the maintenance fees required for this atypical paving. Planted area will be almost double current size, and catch basins will be added. ● Are there plans to address the flashing yellow traffic light at St. Johns and Flatbush (dangerous crossing for pedestrians)? ○ DOT: It cannot be upgraded to a full traffic light because it is too close to the next light on Flatbush. They will investigate other solutions. ● Did they consider using large metal bollards to protect pedestrians? ○ DOT: These are currently only programmed for pedestrian islands. ○ There will be street-lamp posts at the corners ● Is the planted area a bioswale? ○ DOT: No, the soil conditions are not adequate and there are other complications like the subway line beneath. Drought-resistant plant species were selected. ○ Dept. of Parks & Recreation Green Streets Program will maintain the planted space in the triangles. ● Is it funded, and when will it be completed? ○ DOT: Yes, it has funding to begin construction in the 2017 budget, pending the completion of the water main.
Jerry Armer introduced a motion, seconded by Doug Gordon, supporting the proposal as presented, thanking DOT and DDC for a good design and urging them to complete the project as expeditiously as possible.
MOTION APPROVED: UNANIMOUSLY
Pauline Blake introduced a motion, seconded by Joanna Oltman Smith, to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on October 15, 2015.
MOTION APPROVED: UNANIMOUSLY
More consideration of street co-namings: The committee expressed desire for the community board to create a set of guidelines by which to qualify candidates for street co-namings. Suggested requirements for the person in question included: ● A Waiting Period, e.g., death was more than X years ago (5? 10?) ● Served the community in some well-documented way ● Petition signed by XX number of block residents ● Adoption of additional best practices used by other Community Boards
In general, the members of the committee felt that co-namings should fall under the purview of another committee, perhaps Landmarks/Land Use.
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned.
The minutes were submitted by Bahij Chancey