The best solution turned out to
be one already in practice: to create
an auxiliary lot in the back of the
complex along the golf course and
across from the outdoor pool, which
has been used by club members the
past couple of years as a temporary
solution during the height of the
golf season. The additional area
would create 40 additional spots.
To make this temporary solution
permanent, Sharkey and her team
recommended an expansion of the
access road to the area and installation
of permeable pavers in lieu of
pouring asphalt and damaging the
area’s natural aesthetics. Such pavers
would allow grass development,
which renders them virtually invisible
without close examination.
The second stage of Sharkey’s
study concerned the assessment
of the property’s traffic and what
could be done to increase safe
driving and decrease potential
vehicular mishaps. Clearly delineating
traffic flow with painting and
striping, placement of stop signs,
and in some cases, installation
of bollards—those two-foot tall,
white/yellow reflective, plastic
vertical dividers sometimes found
on roadways to define turns and
lanes—were suggested for such
areas as the Main and Southeast
Service Roads and garage service
entrance.
Of more concern was the intersection
atop the hill past the entry
gate. Eastbound traffic from the
loop around the main lot from
Building One meets entering vehicles
head-on and competes with
cars leaving/accessing the underground
garage of Building One from
the partially hidden right side and
still more traffic coming from the
main access road from the south.
Plus, during the season, golf carts
cross a few yards from the intersection
between the top of the hill
and main entrance, not to mention
pedestrians crossing back and forth
from the stairs to the Country Club
entrance on the eastside. If you
find it difficult envisioning what’s
been described, imagine vehicles/
golf carts/pedestrians navigating
the area at peak traffic times. One
solution or part of a grander safety
scheme would be to install four-way
STOP! signs at the intersection.
Sharkey also offered extending
an island along the left point of
the underground garage as one
exits. This would force drivers to
slow down when cutting across
the entrance from the security gate
to access the garage. The addition
of a prominent “STOP! Pedestrian
Crossing” signage on the island on
each side in both directions and
more clearly defined “Pedestrian
Crossing” stripes across the road
would more fully curtail dangerous
driving. The island extension
also affords pedestrians/golf carts
a short-term safe-haven as they
cross.
Finally, Sharkey tackled the main
entrance to North Shore Towers
off Marcus Road. Extending the
central island will force drivers
to turn into and out of NST more
slowly and carefully, especially
those traveling west on Marcus,
who often cut their left turn into
the driveway to a reckless degree
at dangerous speeds. Also, due to
the tight space, large eastbound
commercial vehicles exiting NST
must swing out into the opposing
traffic lane to make a right turn.
Thus, Sharkey and her team advise
moving back the stoppage point for
incoming traffic from the east to
allow trucks and such the room
they need to safely exit the complex.
To more expeditiously move traffic
at the intersection, right turns out
of NST would now be permissible
when visitors entering left have
the dedicated signal. Installing a
clearly visible crosswalk before the
entrance parallel to Marcus Road
would also help ease reckless driving
in and out of NST.
In answer to questions subsequent
to Sharkey’s assessment,
Board President Mario Carmiciano
explained any decisions by the
Board had yet been made. The
work by Sam Schwartz was presented
to the residents to keep them
fully informed of the options from
which the Board would choose in
keeping with the Board’s efforts
of total transparency to their constituents.
Of course, no course of
action, regarding the placing of
more visible signage, alteration of
traffic patterns, etc. will work, if
residents do not heed them.
Permeable pavers are virtually invisible and allow grass growth
Possible NST entrance modifications would allow a greater turning
angle for departing commercial vehicles and curtail reckless turns into
the property from the east
A light moment before the start of the meeting among members
Fred Chernow, Bob Ricken and Stanley Goldsmith
November 2017 ¢ NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER 13