One of the reactions to the traffic issues presented in relation to the LIRR Expansion Project in the Village of New Hyde Park was and is the installation of stop signs at several intersections.
New stop signs have gone up on Covert Avenue at Sixth Avenue, on Second Avenue at South Fifth Street, on Fifth Avenue at South Ninth Street, on First Avenue at South 11th Street, on South 12th Street at Fourth Avenue, and on South 12th Street at Fifth Avenue. Many residents were surprised at the intersection changes. It seems minimal mass notification was to blame.
Under Article 9 of the state Constitution, the provisions of Municipal Home Rule, and the Village of New Hyde Park Chapter 19, Article I, Section 19-1, a public hearing duly and widely noticed, is preferred and needed to consider the enactment of local law to install stop signs.
The village holds public hearings on a whole host of code changes. A local law hearing will take place on April 18th at 7:30 p.m. on “Parking of commercial vehicles to further clarify Commercial Vehicle Parking.” Many are held throughout the year. Notifications are made in the local newspapers and posted on the electronic billboard in front of the village hall.
I don’t recall duly and widely noticed public hearings for these stop signs. By the way, the Covert Avenue Tunnel has already been defiled by graffiti losers.
The vast majority of towns and villages conduct public hearings for “Arterial Stop” code changes. The stop signs on Nassau Boulevard at Atlantic Avenue just north of the new LIRR Nassau Blvd. Bridge in Garden City – Garden City Park was installed and removed with notice.
The removal of the stop signs was important since Nassau Blvd. has been touted as a detour for the New Hyde Park Road closure and traffic was backing up for blocks on end. Proper public notice and in-person observations of the ramifications of an “arterial stop’ code change are constantly needed so a cogent revaluation can be made leading to an affirmation of the change or to reverse course as real-world events require.
Edward W. Powers
New Hyde Park
