Cohoes Traffic Commission rescinds curb-cut approval, approves driveway and handicap parking changes, denies speed-hump request

Cohoes — The Cohoes Traffic Commission met May 18 in the Common Council Chambers and passed unanimous motions on several local parking and curb-cut matters while denying a resident request for speed humps.

Chairman Paul Johnston opened the meeting at 2:00 p.m. and the commission first approved the minutes from its April 27 meeting without comment. The commission then addressed a request concerning Regulation 17-2025: Pleasant Rowe informed staff that he would not install two curb cuts at 160 Simmons Avenue for financial reasons, and the commission voted to rescind the prior approval. Director Stephen Napier moved to rescind Regulation 17-2025; Fire Chief Joseph Fahd seconded the motion, and a roll call vote was unanimous.

The commission approved a residential handicap-parking sign for 148 Wilmer Avenue after Chairman Johnston reported that applicant Kelly Linen’s paperwork and a recommendation from the Center for Independence complied with the city’s MIRA policy. Because parking is prohibited on the north side of Wilmer Avenue, the sign will be installed on the west side of Broadway. Chief Fahd made the motion to approve and Assistant Police Chief Timothy Keefe seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

The commission also approved a driveway and 12-foot curb cut at 153 Columbia Street requested by John Dawkins. The approved driveway dimensions are 20 feet wide by 20 feet deep behind the sidewalk. The commission conditioned approval on the applicant obtaining a City building permit and on completing the driveway before the city’s contractor installs curb and sidewalk as part of the Columbia Street reconstruction. Director Napier moved approval with those conditions; Chief Fahd seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

A request from resident Judith Mnich asked the commission to install speed humps or another speed control measure on Lark Street and lower Central Avenue, citing employees of Bilinski’s plant who she said speed during shift changes. Chairman Johnston and staff explained that New York State Department of Transportation guidance recommends speed humps only when there is a significant accident history (none exists for these streets), and that the city’s insurance carrier and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) impose construction, signing, striping and maintenance requirements. Members also raised concerns about snowplow damage to humps and potential delays to emergency responders. The commission recommended enforcement actions by police (including placement of a speed trailer at various times) but, based on the engineering, liability, winter-maintenance and emergency-response concerns, voted unanimously to deny installation of speed humps or other permanent speed deterrents on those streets. Chief Fahd moved to deny the request and Commissioner Stephen Hennessey seconded.

Finally, the commission approved removal of a residential handicap-parking sign at 39 McElwain Avenue after Tony Pucci informed the commission that his mother, Mary Pucci, no longer needs the sign. Chief Fahd moved to remove the sign per the agenda attachment; Director Napier seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The commission scheduled its next meeting for Monday, June 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. and adjourned at 2:07 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Rescind approval of two curb cuts at 160 Simmons Avenue (Rescind Regulation 17-2025): Motion by Director Stephen Napier; seconded by Fire Chief Joseph Fahd; vote: Paul Johnston — yes; Joseph Fahd — yes; Timothy Keefe — yes; Stephen Napier — yes; Stephen Hennessey — yes. Outcome: approved (rescission).

- Approve Residential Handicap Parking sign for 148 Wilmer Avenue (to be installed on Broadway): Motion by Fire Chief Joseph Fahd; seconded by Assistant Police Chief Timothy Keefe; vote unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Approve driveway (20'x20') and 12-foot curb cut at 153 Columbia Street, contingent on building permit and completion before city contractor work: Motion by Director Stephen Napier; seconded by Fire Chief Joseph Fahd; vote unanimous. Outcome: approved (conditions attached).

- Deny request to install speed humps or other permanent speed deterrents on Lark Street and lower Central Avenue: Motion by Fire Chief Joseph Fahd; seconded by Commissioner Stephen Hennessey; vote unanimous. Outcome: denied. Police to monitor and deploy speed trailer at various times.

- Remove Residential Handicap Parking sign at 39 McElwain Avenue: Motion by Fire Chief Joseph Fahd; seconded by Director Stephen Napier; vote unanimous. Outcome: approved (removal).

What this means

The commission relied on existing engineering guidance and liability/maintenance considerations in denying physical speed-hump measures and instead flagged enforcement actions (including temporary speed-trailer deployment) as the immediate response. Approved driveway and signage actions are subject to usual permitting and construction sequencing to coordinate with the Columbia Street reconstruction contract.

Authorities and policies cited in the meeting

- City MIRA policy (referenced for handicap sign recommendation) — referenced in SEG 015–016. - New York State DOT Highway Design Manual (guidance on speed-hump use) — referenced in SEG 033. - Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) (construction, signing, striping and maintenance requirements for speed humps) — referenced in SEG 035.

Next step

Permits and coordination: the applicant for 153 Columbia Street must obtain a City building permit and complete driveway work before contractor curb/sidewalk work proceeds. The Police Department will monitor the posted streets and use a speed trailer at various times as an enforcement/education measure. The Traffic Commission meets next on June 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.