[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Southold 3-14-2000
by L.L. No. 5-2000. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Transportation
Access Management Law of Southold Town."
A.
The Town Board finds that each year thousands of seasonal
residents and tourists visit the North Fork of Long Island seeking to enjoy
coastal waters, beaches and the pastoral landscape of agricultural lands,
gardening centers, wineries and horse farms. Tourism provides a stimulus to
local business economy which increases the quality of life for local residents.
Over the past five years, however, appreciation as well as concern for local
resources and rural ambiance has grown among the majority of citizens. People
are anxious to see their rural way of life preserved, but at the same time
allow for growth in the local economy.
B.
As locally targeted tourism becomes a more important
industry, there is substantially increased need for more efficient, convenient
cost-effective forms of transportation. With a threefold increase in the population
base during six months of the year, North Fork roadways are moving toward
the saturation point.
C.
Therefore, it is the purpose and policy of this chapter
to establish a Transportation Commission to assist Southold Town and its residents
in finding solutions to increase transportation efficiency and create attractive
alternatives to individual automobile travel while preserving the scenic and
historic attributes of the Town, state, County and local roadways.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
The Transportation Commission established pursuant to this chapter.
The quality of a place, site, building, district or structure based
upon its identification with historic persons or events in the Town of Southold.
The quality of environment based upon its identification with open
space, farming, fishing and quaint hamlets.
The quality of viewsheds from state, County and Town roads based
upon its identification with unique attributes in the Town of Southold.
A.
The purpose of the Southold Transportation Commission
is to develop and implement a Transportation Access Management Plan which
addresses the use and protection of local resources for recreational and economic
benefit through an innovative road-rail-trail-ferry network while maintaining
the scenic, historic and rural characteristics of the Town. The Commission
shall consist of nine members to be appointed by the Town Board, to serve
without compensation.
B.
The term of office of each member appointed to said Commission
shall be two years. If a vacancy occurs other than by expiration of a term,
it shall be filled by the Town Board by appointment for the unexpired term.
In developing and implementing a transportation management strategy, the Commission
will work with the Planning, Highway and Police Departments, but shall report
to the Town Board.
C.
The Commission shall consist of representatives of the
Planning, Highway and Police Departments, civic groups, residents and different
sectors of the business community.
The Commission shall advise the Town Board with respect to the following:
A.
Create a framework to coordinate transportation plans
and programs for the Town among all related local and regional transportation
agencies, groups, service providers and the private sector.
B.
Develop innovative transportation strategies through
improvements in transit options; linkages between transportation modes; travel
demand management techniques; enforcement mechanisms; public and private transit
operations; and vehicle occupancy.
C.
Improve transportation service and efficiency within
the Town through improvements in traffic flow; speed limits; traffic safety;
pedestrian and bicycle safety; parking design and location; and roadway lighting,
signage and traffic signals.
D.
Maintain and improve the rural quality of life through
reductions in impacts on water quality and noise; vehicular trip generation;
and excessive lighting, signage and roadside litter while keeping New York
State Route 25 a scenic route and County Road 48 a through-route within the
Town.
E.
Develop a fiscally feasible, acceptable integrated capacity/mobility/safety
plan for the Town as well as formal evaluation monitoring and update procedures
to be presented to the Town Board for incorporation in the Town's comprehensive
planning and funding by related agencies.
F.
Promote use of alternative transportation solutions through
educational activities and solicit public input on an ongoing basis in discharging
the above duties.
G.
Coordinate these alternative transportation solutions
with other East End towns and villages through the East End Transportation
Council to effect a unified regional transportation strategy.
H.
Perform such other duties and functions as may, from
time to time, be directed by the Town Board.
This chapter shall take effect immediately.
