File #: Int 1173-2023    Version: * Name: Ensuring emergency vehicle access to open streets.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
On agenda: 9/14/2023
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to ensuring emergency vehicle access to open streets
Sponsors: Robert F. Holden, Kalman Yeger
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Summary: This bill would require the Department of Transportation to promulgate rules to ensure that Open Streets, which are streets or designated areas of streets that prioritize use by pedestrians and cyclists, are not only managed but also designed in such a way that allows emergency vehicles, including firefighting vehicles, to enter into, exit from, and pass through them at all times. These regulations would require this level of access without involving the manual rearrangement of barriers or signs. The bill would also require that the Department of Transportation promulgate rules relating to procedures to notify pedestrians and cyclists that vehicles may pass through the Open Street.
Indexes: Agency Rule-making Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1173, 2. Int. No. 1173, 3. September 14, 2023 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 9-14-23, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - September 14, 2023

Int. No. 1173

 

By Council Members Holden and Yeger

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to ensuring emergency vehicle access to open streets

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Subdivision g of section 19-107.1 of the administrative code of New York, as added by local law number 55 for the year 2021, is amended to read as follows:

g. Operation. Open streets shall be managed and operated in accordance with this section and rules of the department. In addition to any other requirement, such rules shall provide:

                           1. Open streets must be designed and maintained in a manner that allows for access, entry, exit, and passage by emergency [vehicle access] vehicles, including but not limited to fire apparatus, at all times without requiring the manual rearrangement of any barriers, signage, or other traffic calming measures used to control motor vehicle access on the open street to allow for such access, entry, exit, or passage;

                     2. Procedures to notify users of open streets, through signage or other means, to be alert for the entry into, exit from, and passage through the open street of vehicles;

[2.] 3. Subject to applicant interest and applicant or department resources, open streets may be operated for up to 24 hours per day and up to 366 days per year;

                           [3.] 4. Procedures for the temporary suspension of an open street as necessary, including for safety, severe weather events, or any other purpose for which the department determines a suspension will benefit the community;

                           [4.] 5. Proposed operational and maintenance plan for the open street, including how to maintain emergency vehicle access and any other staffing plans;

                           [5.] 6. Procedures for the staffing of open streets, to include that the department may choose not to require staffing of open streets with sufficient traffic calming measures;

                           [6.] 7. Procedures by which community organizations may create their own barriers, signage and street furniture that encourage sustainability and welcoming design, subject to the review and approval of the department; and

                           [7.] 8. Procedures by which community organizations may expeditiously obtain permits related to programming on open streets.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law, except that the commissioner of transportation shall take such measures as are necessary for the implementation of this local law, including the promulgation of rules, before such date.

 

 

 

 

 

MLL

LS #13316

8/10/2023 10:27 AM