BILL NUMBER:S5843

TITLE OF BILL:

An act in relation to authorizing the village of Mamaroneck to
designate a portion of United States Route 1 as a school zone

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To allow the Village of Mamaroneck the authority to designate a
portion of US 1, commonly known as the Boston Post Road, as a school
zone, to permit a lower speed limit during school hours given the
presence of both Mamaroneck High School and Hommocks Middle School in
close proximity to the route.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Provides the authority for the Village of Mamaroneck to
designate a school speed zone on West Boston Post Road (US 1) between
the hours of 7 AM and 5 PM on school days, between the entrance of
Mamaroneck Town Hall, 740 W. Boston Post Road and Richbell Road in the
village of Mamaroneck.

Section 2: Establishes an immediate effective date for the
legislation.

              

JUSTIFICATION:

Boston Post Road (United States Route 1) is a heavily traveled road
through the Sound Shore communities of Westchester County, with
commercial truck traffic, as well as standard vehicles.  The road goes
past many schools, including Rye High School/Middle School and Osborn
Elementary School in the City of Rye, adjacent to the north and east
of the Village of Mamaroneck, and through the City of New Rochelle,
adjacent to the Town of Mamaroneck to the south and west. Since cities
have the authority to regulate speed limits on Route 1, they are able
to adjust those limits to better protect their students traveling to
and from schools. The Village of Mamaroneck is unable to do the same,
since such power is not given to villages and towns under New York
law. While that power is properly restricted in general cases, the
particularly high traffic volume on this road, and the presence of
both High School and Middle School buildings in this corridor - along
with numerous fast-food and strip mall businesses frequented by the
students before, during and after classes creates a hazard and
potential tragedy that we can help lessen by allowing both governments
the opportunity to lower speed limits. Notwithstanding the presence of
Traffic signals and crosswalks in some locations on the corridor, the
car movements in and out of the strip mall lots, the right and left
turns off the main road, and the speed of drivers seeking to "make
time" on this stretch of the road, necessitates providing the added
authority to lower speed limits on this road. This proposal has the
support of the Village of Mamaroneck, the Mamaroneck Union Free School
District, the local police force and a wide array of parents and
community activists. The local Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce has
registered no opposition to this proposal.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:


2014: A.4985, referred to transportation/
S.2060 Passed Senate

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None to New York State

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect immediately.