PTSA Health & Safety Committee Detailed Comments on Mobil Station The PTSA Health & Safety Committee is engaged in getting more children to walk and bicycle to school as well as around our Village – safely. Recently, a change of use has been proposed at the intersection of Broadway and Ashford Avenue which has raised some safety concerns with the Committee. This is a very busy intersection for our children walking and bicycling on the sidewalks and street shoulders to all three schools, and has been area of concern for the Village for many years. The proposed change of use would significantly increase vehicle traffic crossing the sidewalks in this intersection. There will be three types of services offered in the proposed change of use: a gasoline station; a convenience store; and, a Dunkin Donuts. The Mobil application, confirmed by the Village’s traffic engineer, expects this successful application to lead to a doubling of motor vehicles entering and exiting the site during peak traveltoschool time. The Mobil site is a significant walking and bicycling route to all three Dobbs Ferry School District schools (ages K12), as well as a major corridor for transportation for all purposes in our Village. Recognizing this importance, the Village’s Vision Plan (found on the Village website) specifically discusses changes the Village wants to see happen in Mobil’s vicinity, including: Reduce traffic conflicts and “friction.” Friction refers to all of the little turning movements, pulling in and out movements, etc. that aggravate traffic congestion and create safety problems. (Page 84) Curb cuts (driveways) should be minimized and shared, wherever possible. (Page 84) Sidewalkoriented, ground floor retail should be encouraged along Ashford Avenue and Broadway frontages at the Performance Auto, Jackenthal, Mobil [bold italics added] Getty, PowerTest, and Stop & Shop sites. (Page 83) provide credible solutions for traffic and pedestrian safety (Page 83) The PTSA is concerned that the Mobil application does not address the Vision Plan’s desired outcomes here, for the following reasons: Doubles Vehicles at Mobil : Underlying our concerns is that the Mobil will now have three uses – Donuts & Coffee, Convenience Store, and Gas Station – which will at least double the number of motorists and their cars entering and leaving the Mobil site at the same time children are traveling to school. The combination of more children walking and biking to school, and the attractiveness of donuts and other products in the store, will increase the dangerous conflicts 1
