July 10, 2010
Anthony J. Santino
Senior Councilman - 4th
District
One Washington Street
Hempstead, NY 11550-4923
Dear Councilman Santino,
This is
not the first time I have written to you regarding the traffic issue in my neighborhood. Unfortunately, it has
not gotten any better.
Drivers still use these streets as a means to avoid the traffic lights on Rockaway
Avenue and Atlantic Avenue, by the East Rockaway Railroad Station, and Ocean Avenue and Atlantic Avenue, by Wendy’s.
The street lights at these
intersections clearly must be modified, or adjusted, to accommodate traffic volume so that drivers do not need to use Pearl
and Davison as avoidance routes. Additional left turn arrows/signals are necessary to reduce congestion. The ‘Stop’
signs installed on Pearl Street, though a nice gesture, fail to slow drivers down or deter them from using this route as a thruway as suggested they would.
There is
a 30 MPH speed limit, which is definitely not followed.
For my family, and many others I have spoken with, the neighborhood
has lost its quaintness and homey appeal. It is more and more congested each day.
On top of this already
existing problem, a Stop and Shop will soon be replacing Camp DeBaun. I must say it is surprising how many people are ‘just
learning’ about this fact... As well, I understand an environmental study is not going to take place? That is
very concerning.
Atlantic Avenue is already overloaded with traffic. It cannot handle more volume without some major adjustments,
especially during the morning and evening commuter hours. The town and the police department - in my opinion
- has not been able to address what is currently taking place. I am concerned for what is to come.
WE NEED:
1) A “No Thru Traffic” or a ‘Local Traffic Only’
that would stop drivers from using our street as a means of avoidance. Contrary to the Town Attorney’s opinion
I do not
feel it would ‘cause confusion to the neighboring
residents’ ...any more than Rockville
Centre residents. And even more contrary to his opinion, there is a CLEAR issue during morning
and evening hours.
2) Maybe
a bigger Stop sign would entice people to actually stop.
3) We need law enforcement to get involved. The speed limit needs to be enforced, as well as stopping for
the Stop signs. No trucks, with the exception of local deliveries, needs to be enforced as well. Again,
though the Town Attorney said they were going to ‘recommend NCPD monitor and enforce local traffic restrictions,’
...that has rarely happened. As well, if the police are called regarding the traffic issues or violations... by the
time a car gets here - if something more pressing is not being dealt with, which is usually the case and understandable
- the incident is over.
4) The
street lights on Rockaway Avenue & Atlantic Avenue and Ocean Avenue & Atlantic
Avenue should have left turn arrows. Southbound and Westbound especially.
That would eliminate much congestion and virtually eliminate the need for drivers to use Pearl and Davison as a means of avoidance.
At this point, even Pearl and Rockaway needs left turn signals...
Pearl Street was never
intended to be a highway, or a speedway!! I am concerned that this matter will only be addressed after some
type of damage is done, or worse.. someone gets hurt!?
What about the quality of life? The noise? The
value of homes? The safety of my children... or heaven forbid an escapee pet! (Which has happened... panicked child
trailing behind. Not a pretty scene. I was lucky to be able to stop traffic in time!)
Though this Stop &
Shop project is clearly already in the works.. I would like you to know, I am not for this change.
I believe it is going to bring the level of traffic and congestion up even more. Pearl Street is going to be used as
a ‘thruway’ more than ever... especially since the entrance is going to be just off Davison... and more
and more will continue to go unaddressed. Though my personal concern is Pearl Street, the issues extend beyond.
(Silver Lane, Waverly, etc.)
The fact that it will be a 24 hour Super Store is not a plus. The 24/7 delivery
trucks, increased noise, people and traffic volume to our area. The 24/7 lights, not to mention the impact and
drain on our neighborhoods’ electrical grid. Brown Outs are going to be an issue. The fact that beer will
be sold there, the ‘wanderer’s’ it will bring to the neighborhood - that will go unaddressed, because
by the time the police get there - if there is not something more understandably
pressing - the damage is done... The impact on the ecosystem, which as I see it is already in play since sadly many
large trees have already been removed.
I am not alone in my feelings. There is not one person
in this neighborhood that I have spoken to that is happy about this. Many are VERY upset! When I first wrote you
about the traffic on our streets, I supplied you with a petition with 75+ signatures. All were people from my immediate
neighborhood who were upset about the traffic at that time. It is no better today! Now that my kids are in camp,
I will be going door to door again.
I do not know what the solution is for all this, but I do know that I am going
to look into all those responsible for this decision. I feel strongly enough that they will not be getting my support
come election time.
Nancy Hagenmayer Lopez
476 Pearl Street
Oceanside, NY 11572
cc: Supervisor, Kate Murray
Every person I can copy...
