STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 Members of Staten Island\u2019s Community Board 2 voted to formally oppose a New York City Council bill that would mandate \u201cuniversal daylighting\u201d throughout New York City, including Staten Island.<\/p>\n
The bill in question, Intro 1138<\/a>, would ban parking within 20 feet of any intersection with a crosswalk<\/a> to improve pedestrian visibility across the city \u2014 a process known as daylighting.<\/p>\n \u201cThere were those who were strenuously in support of the legislation, and those who were opposed,\u201d Joseph Torres, chair of the Community Board\u2019s Transportation Committee, said while describing discussions on the matter.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was more a crisis of faith, where those who were supportive of this legislation lacked faith and confidence that current leadership is doing enough to protect pedestrians,\u201d Torres explained. \u201cThose who were opposed actually felt this legislation was too aggressive.\u201d <\/p>\n The motion to oppose universal daylighting passed unanimously, though the Board acknowledged that the bill is only eight votes away from passing City Council with a veto-proof majority.<\/p>\n \u201cRight now [the bill has] 26 co-sponsors. If that number increases to 34, it would pass, even if it\u2019s vetoed by the mayor,\u201d Torres told the other Community Board members. \u201cSo there\u2019s a very high probability that this legislation will be passed.\u201d<\/p>\n In September, Staten Island\u2019s Community Board 1 also passed a motion to oppose the universal daylighting bill<\/a>.<\/p>\n As Community Boards only have an advisory role on certain local issues \u2014 like matters of land use, liquor licenses, and traffic and transportation matters<\/a> \u2014 Tuesday night\u2019s opposition was formally communicated in a letter to the City Council.<\/p>\n Opposition to the bill<\/p>\n Before the members of Community Board 2 voted against the legislation, a representative for Borough President Vito Fossella reiterated his opposition to the bill as well.<\/p>\n Previously, Fossella has said that while he approves of daylighting certain intersections on Staten Island, he opposes the bill\u2019s \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d approach.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, pedestrian safety is important,\u201d Fossella previously said at a press conference opposing the measure<\/a>. \u201cIf there are certain intersections that need [daylighting], then we should do it. That\u2019s the common sense, practical approach.\u201d<\/p>\n Opponents also argue that the New York City Department of Transportation opposes the proposed legislation<\/a>.<\/p>\n The DOT has cited a report the agency published in January,<\/a> which found no increase in pedestrian safety at intersections that have daylighting in place without physical barriers installed.<\/p>\n The transportation agency has also said that implementing the universal daylighting bill would cost more than double its current annual budget.<\/p>\n About universal daylighting<\/p>\n The universal daylighting legislation would ban vehicles from parking within 20 feet of any intersection with a crosswalk, equal to roughly one full car length.<\/p>\n New York state law already outlaws parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk. However, New York City has a special exemption that allows it to set its own parking rules.<\/p>\n Supporters of the bill have referred to studies that say allowing parking within 16 feet of intersections significantly increases the number of pedestrian injuries<\/a>. <\/p>\n Proponents also point to the success of daylighting \u2014 among other changes \u2014 in Hoboken, New Jersey, which has not had a single pedestrian death in several years<\/a>. <\/p>\n If the universal daylighting bill passes the City Council and is signed into law, DOT officials said they believe that roughly 10% of all free parking in New York City \u2014 approximately 300,000 spaces \u2014 would be eliminated, according to a report by StreetsBlog NYC<\/a>.<\/p>\n The bill currently has majority support in the City Council, with 26 co-sponsors, but needs at least 34 votes to override a potential veto from Mayor Eric Adams.<\/p>\n Of the current sponsors of the daylighting bill, only one represents Staten Island in the City Council \u2014 Councilmember Frank Morano, a Republican representing Staten Island\u2019s South Shore<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, no one loves their cars more than Staten Islanders \u2014 I get that, I live it. But even in a car-loving district like mine, people want to be able to see when they\u2019re turning, and they don\u2019t want their kid or their neighbor getting hit at an intersection because a van was blocking the crosswalk,\u201c Morano previously told the Advance\/SILive.com.<\/p>\n \u201cThis bill is about visibility, safety, and a little common sense \u2014 not ideology. If we can improve sight lines, reduce flooding, and make the streets safer without upending our way of life, that\u2019s a win.”<\/p>\n As of publication, the universal daylighting bill is laid over in the City Council\u2019s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.<\/p>\n However, during a recent interview with PIX 11 News<\/a>, Councilmember Julie Won, a Democrat representing parts of Queens and original sponsor of the bill, said that there was push to get the bill passed by the end of the year.<\/p>\n If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. 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