I'm tired of reading accolades regarding the repaving of lots 1 and 2 by the M.P.D. at the train station. It's time to document the apparent town code violations, questionable traffic engineering practices and obvious safety issues associated with the latest M.P.D. construction project.

A quick review of the town parking ordinance reveals that both the stalls and aisle sizes are too small. The code requires that 20 percent of the spaces be 9' X 19" with the balance to be 10' X 20' and the aisle width by 24'. The lots were reconstructed with all spaces 8' X 18' and an aisle space of 21'. They feel every bit as small with maneuverability difficult to say the least. All the handicap spaces lack large enough side aisle space and at least one has no side access at all.

The parking area, formerly known as "lot #2," was reconfigured with two dead end aisles forcing cars to back up if there are no spaces available. The pre-existing curb cut along Maple Avenue, adjacent to Maple Place Garage, has been blocked off from entering and exiting by parking stalls; together with the "one way" access means that now all cars must exit at Plandome Road. The light at Plandome already was a nightmare bottleneck whose red seems to last over four minutes. Additionally, the "not an exit" signs at Maple Avenue are ineffective because cars, now permitted to enter lot 2 from lot 1, cannot exit without backing up or turning around. By now you guessed that motorists are doing neither.

Perhaps the most troubling, from a safety aspect, is the lone telephone pole left directly in a traffic aisle. You surely should be required to protect a telephone pole from being struck by vehicles. This pole can be struck and knocked over and possibly cause live wires to fall and electrocute someone or something. This is a serious safety issue.

There are also numerous practical issues such as the removal of large mature trees as well as recently planted trees only to be "replaced" by a tiny 6" planting strip along Maple Avenue. The galvanized highway guardrail sections between lot 2 and the Texico station are unsightly. Surely something else there would have been more practical. The first diagonal space at the Maple Avenue entrance is not even protected by a curb as it was before. A car turning in will come close to hitting a parked car every time and, if you dare to park there, you will have to back out partially into Maple Avenue to exit.

How was the M.P.D. allowed to disregard the town code? Was their plan ever reviewed by the county Department of Public Works as required when fronting a county road? The execution of the re-paving project seems to be more about the number of spaces than about code compliance, good engineering practices and user safety.

Ron Rainone,

President Council for Greater Manhasset Civic Associations