TOWN OF AMHERST TRAFFIC-SAFETY BOARD

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1 TOWN OF AMHERST TRAFFIC-SAFETY BOARD ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT 1100 NORTH FOREST ROAD, WILLIAMSVILLE, NEW YORK TRAFFIC SAFETY COORDINATOR - TELEPHONE FAX AMHERST TRAFFIC SAFETY BOARD September 6, 2017 The September meeting of the Amherst Traffic Safety Board was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on September 6, Chairman Eric Fraas calls the meeting to order. Chairman Fraas opens the meeting with a review of the August 2, 2017 meeting minutes, asking if the members have any corrections or additions. Eric Fraas begins with a correction to page 3, item 6, last sentence, eliminate the word future. Dan Rider also would like a correction to page 2, paragraph 3, bottom of the page executive should be changed to legislator Motion by Dan Rider second by Jeff Burroughs to approve the August 2017 minutes as corrected. Approved (Nagel, Jones abstained). Chairman Fraas chaired the meeting. Other members present were Vice Chairman Daniel Rider, Larry Hunter, Sylvia Jones, Michelle Nagel, Jeffrey Burroughs, Kenneth Smith, and Herschel Gelber. Departmental Liaisons included Al Spoth of the Highway Department, Captain Kevin Brown of the Police Department, Scott Marshall of the Planning Department, Ramona Popowich as Councilmember Liaison, and Christopher Schregel, Traffic Safety Coordinator/Engineering Liaison. Guest list is on record in the Engineering Department. NEW BUSINESS 1. Tonawanda Creek Road Request to lower speed limit between New Road and Transit Road. Chairman Fraas opens the public comment period for this item. a) Elizabeth Smith, 4099 Tonawanda Creek Road. Ms. Smith has lived in this area since She feels the I-990 and expansion of UB North Campus has created various developments in this section of Amherst. She states Tonawanda Creek Road is winding and dark with no shoulder along with a number of deer crossing areas. She feels the traffic has increased substantially because of the addition of area businesses. She also feels the trail way on Tonawanda Creek Road has drawn a pedestrian and cycling population. She feels speeds and volume combined with all the other factors makes for a dangerous situation. She is asking for the 50 MPH speed limit that is currently posted to be lowered. Chairman Fraas closed the public comment period for this item and opens the discussion to the members. It was identified that Tonawanda Creek Road is also posted 50 mph between Hopkins and New and that the review should be expanded to include this section. As counts were not available, the Traffic Safety Board decided to hold this item until both sections are counted for speed and volume. 2. Carmen Road Request stop sign to reduce speeds. Chairman Fraas opens the public comment period for this item. a) Jason Dunn, 100 Carmen Road. Mr. Dunn explains that Carmen Road does not have any stop signs adding that all adjacent streets in the area have stop signs. He feels the addition of stop signs will help with the high vehicle speeds he has observed on his street. He feels the speeding is very dangerous for children who live in the area. Mr. Dunn adds that Carmen Road is very dark due to the lack of street lighting. He feels the speed and volume counts conducted by the Highway Department do not reflect the current conditions on his street. He also feels that traffic and speeds will only increase when Whole Foods opens. discussion to the members. Chairman Fraas begins by explaining that stop signs are not used as a control device to slow traffic and that they are only used to determine the right of way.

2 ATSB MEETING September 6, 2017 PAGE 2 Sylvia Jones adds that the traffic count conducted by the Highway Department indicated very low numbers and would not meet the warrants to install a stop sign. After discussion, it is suggested that a speed and volume count be repeated a couple months after Whole Foods opens and the traffic patterns stabilize. Jeff Burroughs inquires if there is a reason on record for the no parking that is currently posted on Carmen Road. Jeff Burroughs comments that Carmen Road is very wide making it susceptible to higher vehicle speeds. He notes if parking was permitted on both sides of the road it could slow speeds. Dan Rider considers the idea of adding a stop sign to Carmen Road because of special circumstances. Larry Hunter comments that the addition of unwarranted stop signs can be dangerous and should not be considered. Chairman Fraas agrees and suggests looking at removing unwarranted stop signs on adjacent roads. Chairman Fraas also asks Chris Schregel to research the reason for the current parking restriction that exists on Carmen Road and possibly have it removed. Police enforcement is suggested, item held pending information related to the parking restriction. 3. Paradise Road Request for school crossing signage and reduction of speed limit. Chairmen Fraas opens the public comment period for this item. a) Thomas Moore, Cricket Lane. Initially Mr. Moore was inquiring about a crosswalk on Paradise Road from Cricket Lane to Britannia. After some research he found this location would not be the ideal spot for a crosswalk. His neighborhood has numerous children walking to Williamsville East High school but those children have no safe route. Mr. Moore notes that even the current crosswalk seems inadequate due to the volume and speeds that occur on Paradise Road. He would like some type of solution from the Engineering Department to help improve the safety of those going to and from Williamsville East High School. Eric Fraas closes the public comment period for this item and opens the discussion to the members. Chairman Fraas Begins the discussion by agreeing with Mr. Moore stating that a safety issue does exists for the pedestrians living on Cricket Lane. Chairman Fraas identifies that there are not sidewalks on the west side of Paradise Road in this area. The members discussed the possibility of referring this issue to the sidewalk committee for review. Chairman Fraas inquires if the Engineering Department can come up with a solution. Sylvia Jones would like to contact the school district and review options that they might have to improve the safety. The final recommendation is to hold this item, obtain the busing policy, obtain the bus stop locations, complete an updated pedestrian count, and speak to Williamsville East High School for pedestrian routing plans. Hold for the collection of information. Chris Schregel asks that the original request from the resident be reviewed. That resident would like the speeds and school signage reviewed. Chris Schregel reviews the signage noting that some of the current signage needs to be updated, replaced or moved to a new location. Chairman Fraas requests that the Highway Department review/modify the proper placement of the signage when the new striping is installed. The members agree with the speed postings on this section of Paradise Road. 4. Sylvan Pkwy. at John Muir Drive Request parking restriction. Chairman Fraas open the discussion on this item to the members. Eric Fraas reviews the additional information received on this topic. The information states that a new business has opened up on John Muir Parkway that does not have adequate parking as a result the employees are parking on Sylvan Parkway. The parking is causing an obstructed view when vehicle are pulling out of John Muir Drive. Traffic board is recommending parking restrictions on Sylvan Parkway on both sides of the road in a manner that does not push the parking problem elsewhere. Sylvia Jones makes a series of recommendations to keep parking away from the side street corners and the Sylvan Parkway curve. Motion by Ken Smith second by Sylvia Jones to install parking restriction all hours all days as graphically illustrated to the members. Approved 8-0. Traffic Board agrees that a road diet should be considered in the future.

3 ATSB MEETING September 6, 2017 PAGE 3 5. Sanctuary Court Request parking restriction on the cul-de-sac for school bus access. Chairman Fraas opens the public comment period for this item. a) William Tuyn, Forbes Homes. He is representing one of his customers that lives on Sanctuary Court (David Capretto). Mr. Tuyn is asking for a parking restriction on the bulb of the court to allow school buses adequate room to maneuver. Mr. Tuyn adds that several young children live on this street and he is asking only for a parking restriction during school days and hours and only on the bulb of the cul-de-sac. He notes that the neighbors would prefer that the number of signs be limited. Chairmen Fraas closes the public comment period for this item and opens the discussion to the members. Chairman Fraas informs the residents that this is a frequent request and he is in favor of placing the No Parking signage on the cul-desac. Motion by Jeff Burroughs second by Michelle Nagel to restrict parking around the cul-de-sac turnaround portion of Sanctuary Court between the south property lines of 71 and 72 Sanctuary Court from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on school days, including the interior cul-de-sac island. Approved Sweet Home Road Speeding concerns between North French and Tonawanda Creek Road. Chairman Fraas opens the public comment period for this item. a) Carol Raimondo, 3245 Sweet Home Road. Ms. Raimondo has lived on Sweet Home Road for 25 years and feels the stretch from North French to Tonawanda Creek Road has turned into a speedway that continues every day. She notes the number of speeding tickets the Amherst Police have dispensed since she had voiced her concerns. She requests help concerning one specific top soil company asking for police enforcement regarding the out of control speeding she has witnessed day after day by their large trucks. She comments that because of the unsafe driving on Sweet Home Drive she has a very difficult time safely entering her driveway. She explains that she has even witnessed vehicles racing one another. Ms. Raimondo states that one of her neighbors ride an ATV in the street. She is very worried someone will be injured as a result of the combination of all the unsafe circumstances she has observed. discussion to the members. Chris Schregel begins with explaining the results of the speed and volume counts conducted by the Highway Department. He states the posted speed limit is 40 MPH and the 85 th percentile collected by the Highway Department is 47 MPH going in the northbound direction and 48 MPH in the southbound direction, the total number of vehicles are calculated around 6000 vehicles per day in both directions. The peak speeds occurred around 8 am and 6 pm. Eric Fraas comments the Police Department should continue to enforce the speed limit. Sylvia Jones feels the numbers are high enough that the County should be notified of the results. Eric Fraas inquires if additional speed limit signage can be installed. Chris Schregel will question the County on the number and location of posted 40 MPH signs located in this area of Sweet Home Road. The members conclude a letter to the County will be sent informing them of the conditions and Police enforcement should continue. 7. Main/Darwin/Burroughs Intersection request for No Turn on Red signage. Chairman Fraas opens the public comment period for this item. a) Craig Coyne, 31 Darwin Drive. Mr. Coyne is asking that a No Turn on Red on Darwin Road not be installed. Chris Schregel explains that the original request is to install a No Turn on Red on both Darwin Drive and Burroughs Drive. This resident is opposed to the addition of this signage on Darwin Drive. Chairman Fraas explains that NYSDOT recently changed the signal timing at this intersection. Mr. Coyne feels the recent signal changes is enough change to this intersection at this time.

4 ATSB MEETING September 6, 2017 PAGE 4 b) Marilyn Beahan, 5 Darwin Road. Mrs. Beahan lives on the corner of Main Street and Darwin Drive she feels that this intersection is difficult for pedestrians to cross Darwin Drive and thinks No Turn on Red signage would be helpful. discussion to the members. Chris Schregel begins with a video demonstration of how the sequence of signalization works at this intersection. Members inquire if pedestrian heads are on Darwin Dr. and Burroughs Dr., Chris Schregel shows only pedestrian heads on Main Street. Chris Schregel agrees adding pedestrian heads could be a possible recommendation to NYSDOT. After some discussion the members recommend waiting for area drivers to adjust to the most recent changes to the signalization and revisit this intersection in 60 days. Eric Fraas inquires if a pedestrian count should be conducted, after some thought by the Board it s decided not to do a pedestrian count at this time. 8. Lamarck Drive & Wehrle Drive Review of all-red clearance intervals at signal. Chairman Fraas opens the discussion of this item to the members. Chris Schregel begins by explaining that this intersection has had recent accidents and increasing the red clearance time has been suggested. Nine Accident have occurred at this intersection in the past 5 years, five of those accident are related to red light running. Chris explains to the members how the timings are calculated. Chris Schregel notes that he did speak to the County and they stated that if the Town would like to change the timing based on the accidents they are willing to modify. Jeff Burroughs remarks that this intersection has been looked at before for visibility issues. Larry Hunter feels that a signal warrant analysis should be completed to see if this signal should be replaced with stop signs. He also feels the area residents should be consulted before any changes are implemented. Dan Rider and Chairman Fraas both feel as a temporary improvement the red clearance should be extended. Traffic Board members discuss if the signal adjustments should occur immediately without study or to wait until a Transportation Engineer can study the matter and provide recommendations. After roll call, member Hershel Gelber is only board member present that would prefer to make changes immediately. The Traffic Safety Board suggests the Town hire a traffic engineer to study the timings to determine if they should be altered. The members are in agreement to have a warrant analysis conducted and include in the study options on signal timing. 9. Saratoga Road at Brantwood Road Request for a crosswalk and stop bars. Chairman Fraas opens the public comment period for this item. a) Slywia Starnawska, 42 Coniston Road. Ms. Starnawska is asking for a crosswalk and stop bar on Saratoga Road to assist in schoolchildren crossings. She has witnessed heavy traffic during the morning drive times with drivers going to the VA hospital. She explains that when children are attempting to cross Saratoga Road to get to the middle school there are no safe intersections to cross Saratoga Road. She has observed children running across Saratoga due to the high volume of vehicle and has witnessed numerous unsafe actions from both pedestrians and vehicles. discussion to the members. Eric Fraas thinks the more appropriate location for a crosswalk would be Berryman Drive and Saratoga Road as this location is closer to the school and would be utilized by more children in the area. Sylvia Jones adds that the addition of a crosswalk does not guarantee a safe crossing. Sylvia Jones also comments that an advanced warning sign should be installed. Sylvia Jones also recommends adding pedestrian crossing signs in addition to crosswalks. The members also feel the school warning sign that is currently posted should be relocated further west of the back driveway. The members agree to send a request to the Highway Department asking for crosswalks and signage at the intersection of Berryman Drive and Saratoga Road. Scott Marshall suggests also inquiring about the addition of similar markings and signage at Washington Highway and Saratoga Road.

5 ATSB MEETING September 6, 2017 PAGE 5 The members request that a letter be sent to the Highway Department requesting painting a crosswalk and stop bar on the southern leg of Saratoga and the eastern leg of Berryman. Further, that Washington Highway painted with a crosswalk and stop bar on the south and west legs of the intersection. OLD BUSINESS A. Kensington Ave. Road Diet. Members are invited to attend a public information meeting B. North French Road at Dodge Road Turn arrows request. Chairman Fraas states that it does not appear that this intersection meets the warrants for a left turn arrow. Chairman Fraas open this item for discussion to the members. Larry Hunter comments that the numerous number of accidents indicates this intersection could meet some type of warrant. This item held pending full accident history. Item held pending collision diagram and reports. SITE PLANS / REZONING SUBJECT: Major Site Plan SP H ADDRESS: Main Street PETITIONER: Iskalo Development X MAJOR SITE PLAN X APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS 1. An unsubstantiated report of tractor trailers unloading on Main Street directly in front of the subject parcel was heard. Loading and unloading must occur on site. As such, please provide a truck routing plan showing that a tractor trailer can enter and exit and able to navigate internally to delivery points communications between the Town and David Chiazza, Iskalo Executive Vice President, identified an unwillingness by Iskalo to install stop signs at the two curb cuts on Main Street at the subject parcel. As a condition of this approval, petitioner must install both stop signs. 3. Install a crosswalks in parking area at 1) the northeast corner of proposed restaurant, and 2) between the proposed restaurant and the Reikart House. 4. Reconfigure the handicap stall and accessible isle along the front of the proposed restaurant that moves the access aisle to the very eastern end. As proposed, the disabled driver may maneuver in a manner that conflicts with entering and exiting traffic at the east curb cut. Sidewalk and ramp requires a plan change to accomplish this. 5. Install a crosswalk in front of the proposed restaurant between the connection to the public sidewalk and the van accessible access isle adjacent to the handicap parking spot, as relocated in condition #4. SUBJECT: Minor Site Plan SP E ADDRESS: 1355 Niagara Falls Blvd. PETITIONER: Delta Sonic Car Wash Systems, Inc. X MINOR SITE PLAN X APPROVED AS SUBMITTED

6 ATSB MEETING September 6, 2017 PAGE 6 SUBJECT: Major Site Plan SP ADDRESS: 190 Maple Road PETITIONER: Youngs Road Property Development LLC X MINOR SITE PLAN X APPROVED AS SUBMITTED Meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m. Next meeting is scheduled for October 4, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Board Council Chambers. Respectfully submitted, Christopher P. Schregel Traffic Safety Coordinator

URBANA TRAFFIC COMMISSION Tuesday, November 12, 2013

URBANA TRAFFIC COMMISSION Tuesday, November 12, 2013 MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Madigan, City Council Member, Ward 6, Chair Joe Smith, Senior Civil Engineer Pat Connolly, Police Chief MEMBERS ABSENT: None