THE ASSEMBLY CHAIR

STATE OF NEW YORK Majority Program Committee

ALBANY COMMITTEES
Codes
Environmental Conservation
Health
Housing
Insurance
STEVEN H. CYMBROWITZ
Steering
Assemblyman 45th District
Kings County
CHAIR
Subcommittee on
Shoreline Protection

May 3, 2010

Commissioner Joseph Palmieri

Department of Transportation
16 Court Street, Room 1620
Brooklyn, New York 11201

Dear Commissioner Palmieri,

We are writing to inform you of a traffic situation that is causing traffic congestion and also
posing safety concerns on Sheepshead Bay Road, between East 14th and East 16th Streets. This area, in front
of and adjacent to the subway entrance, is busy with both pedestrian and vehicular traffic throughout the
day, but especially at rush hour. Currently, the signage is “No Parking 8:00AM To Midnight Including
Sunday,” except immediately in front of the subway entrance which has “No Standing” signs.

Our most recent inspection of this area was consistent with our individual observations over the
past few months that TLC vehicles are illegally parking on the south side of Sheepshead Bay Road. They
have also been witnessed to back up as they jockey for a better position to illegally capture fares. This often
forces trucks making local deliveries to double park hindering the flow of buses and other vehicular traffic
and making pedestrian crossings more treacherous. When buses arrive on the north side, students coming
from school cross the street to get to the subway and are forced to walk in between the TLC cars.

In order to improve the flow of traffic and make this area safer for pedestrians, we are requesting
that “No Standing Anytime – Except Deliveries” signs to be installed from East 14th Street to East 16th
Street, on the south side of Sheepshead Bay Road.

Please be advised that we have notified both the Police Department and Taxi and Limousine
Commission of this situation. Although summonses have been issued, and the patrol officers regularly
chase the livery vehicles, the situation still exists.

ALBANY OFFICE: Room 538, Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12248, (518) 455-5214, FAX (518) 455-5738
DISTRICT OFFICE: 1800 Sheepshead Bay Road, Brooklyn, New York, 11235, (718) 743-4078, FAX (718) 368-4391
E-MAIL: cymbros@assembly.state.ny.us WEBSITE: www.assembly.state.ny.us
Commissioner Joseph Palmieri
May 3, 2010
Page 2

We would therefore appreciate you giving our request your immediate attention. Thank you for
your continued cooperation and we look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Steven Cymbrowitz Michael Nelson

Member of Assembly Council Member

cc: Ms. Theresa Scavo, Chairperson, Community Board 15

Capt. Georgios Mastrokostas, Commander, 61st Precinct
Commissioner David Yassky, NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission

ALBANY OFFICE: Room 538, Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12248, (518) 455-5214, FAX (518) 455-5738
DISTRICT OFFICE: 1800 Sheepshead Bay Road, Brooklyn, New York, 11235, (718) 743-4078, FAX (718) 368-4391
E-MAIL: cymbros@assembly.state.ny.us WEBSITE: www.assembly.state.ny.us