To Reduce Parking on James Lane

An effort to improve traffic safety on James Lane, which runs along the east side of South End Cemetery, may necessitate in the elimination of about six parking spaces, the East Hampton Village Board concluded at a work session last Thursday.

Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. explained that the Rev. Denis Brunelle, rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, had spoken with him last summer about inadequate sight lines for motorists entering or exiting the driveway to the church’s parking lot and Parish Hall, particularly during events there and at Guild Hall or Home, Sweet Home Museum, when pedestrian and vehicle traffic are high.

Drew Bennett, a village consultant, reported that he had analyzed the intersection of James Lane and an unnamed street, the narrow road that connects James Lane and Main Street, and found sight lines were limited as a result of parallel parking on both sides of James Lane and a portion of the South End Cemetery fence. He recommended parallel parking be eliminated on the east side of James Lane between the St. Luke’s driveway and Maidstone Lane.

The mayor and board members agreed, but also concurred that “all-way” stop signs should not be erected at the intersection. “We’ve got more signs than we can use in this village as it is,” Bruce Siska, a board member, said. “Removing cars on the east side of James Lane from the church driveway south to Maidstone will increase sight both ways, east and west.”

Although Richard Lawler, also a trustee, said he was “reluctant to give up any parking in the village,” he said “safety trumps the parking issue.” 

“This is one of those nuanced locations,” the mayor said. “We’re trying to make it better by way of this discussion this morning.” He asked Linda Riley, the village attorney, to draft an amendment to the village code.