Jun. 11, 2014:  As the tentative July 7 start date for the Kensington Road development approaches, the Bronxville Board of Trustees, at its June 9 meeting, heard concerns about potential traffic and parking issues and considered possible solutions to mitigate disruptions during the 24 to 30 month construction period.

The board of trustees opened a public hearing on Proposed Local Law 4-2014 to amend Chapter 290 of the Traffic and Vehicle Law to alter certain parking permit areas and times. With the support of Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and State Senator George Latimer, the village seeks to issue LK parking permits, which would allow the 75 residents who will be displaced from their lower Kensington Road lot spaces to park without restriction in delineated locations:

• Dewitt Avenue from Paxton Avenue to the village line
• Garden Avenue from Pondfield Road to Tanglewylde Avenue
• Kensington Road from Sagamore Road to Oval Court
• Paxton Avenue from Stone Place to Dewitt Avenue
• Sagamore Road from Pondfield Road to the village line
• Valley Road from Pondfield Road to Prescott Avenue

Merchants will not be permitted to park on the street. Deputy Treasurer Peggy Conway stated that merchant parking will be moved elsewhere. Permits for merchants to park at restricted meters will be issued for the Garden Avenue lot.

"Everyone knows how difficult this will be," Mayor Marvin acknowledged, "and it will be the neighbors and parkers who will have the most difficulty. We will work and tweak this the best we can to make it the least disruptive we can."

In addition, the trustees propose to reduce parking permit fees in recognition of the displacement. Effective July 1, residents who park in lower Kensington lots will pay $82 per month for parking, a reduction from $90 per month.

Merchants who park at restricted meters in the Garden Avenue lot will also pay reduced fees. The current $1,200 annual fee will be $900 for the year beginning July 1, prorated by quarter.

Beyond issues of parking displacement, dust, and noise during the construction period, several Sagamore Road residents raised existing issues of safety on the narrow street that increased construction traffic could compound. Although Sagamore Road is designated as a through road, residents pointed out that it is a narrow street with a curve at the top and compromised sight lines that often experiences vehicles, especially trucks, "flying down" the street.

Sagamore Road resident Stephanie Ranieri stated that additional trucks during construction "will compound, in our view, how difficult it is to safely cross Sagamore Road. It is dangerous." She asked if there is a possibility to reroute construction trucks.

Residents also expressed concern that allowing 24-hour parking on Sagamore Road for displaced Kensington parkers will exacerbate the safety problem. "Sometimes a truck needs to pull into a vacant spot to let an opposing truck pass," observed Sagamore Road resident David Stern. "I'm really concerned about how this is going to work."

Mayor Marvin pledged to take residents' concerns to Fareri Associates, developers of the Kensington Project, and continue to work with the firm on the construction management plan. She further pledged to work with the Bronxville Police Department on enforcement issues in the construction zone.

Residents suggested more stop signs, speed bumps, traffic cameras, a lowering of the speed limit, and reinstatement of the crosswalk at Sagamore Park as possible ways to reduce vehicle speed on Sagamore Road.

"I promise we will include Sagamore and Kensington, regardless of the project, in our enforcement effort," Bronxville Police Department Chief Christopher Satriale stated. "We will work hand in hand with our buildings department, department of public works, and the contractor to mitigate the disruption and ensure the safety of everyone traveling and walking."

Peggy Conway urges Bronxville residents to sign up for eAlerts on the village website, www.villageofbronxville.com, and subscribe to Kensington Road updates. Marvin noted that the website will also have a page devoted to the Kensington Road project so that residents "will know for that week exactly what will be going on and what to expect."

Marvin also announced that the village will hold a public meeting with representatives from Fareri Associates where residents' questions and concerns will be addressed. The date and time of that meeting has not yet been determined.

The Bronxville Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, July 14, at 8:00 pm in the trustees room at Bronxville Village Hall.

Pictured here:  Mayor Mary Marvin, village attorney James Staudt, and trustee Donald Gray at the June 9 board meeting.

Photo by Carol P. Bartold