The Southold planning board discussed a proposal today that could bring a whole new look to the Love Lane area in Mattituck that would include a village green and public art.
The board considered a concept plan of a potential closure of the currently one-way Old Sound Avenue to traffic and the creation, instead, of a village green. Cars traveling on Route 25 would not be able to turn onto the currently one-way Old Sound Avenue from Route 25 and would have to enter from an alternate direction.
Currently, cars can head north on Old Sound Avenue but not south on the one way street, on which the Mattituck Presbyterian Church and North Fork Community Theatre are located.
According to planner Mark Terry, the idea was proposed initially in a hamlet study and also by Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell but was never acted upon.
Advantages to the closure would include enhanced traffic safety.
There have been 79 accidents in 10 years at the Route 25 spot where cars turn north onto old Sound Avenue, Terry said.
An email from Southold Police Chief Martin Flatley also supports the closure due to safety issues, Terry said.
The redesign would also include repurposing of areas of the roadway to allow for parallel parking, Terry said, with more efficient use of the space and additional parking spots.
A turnaround would be created at the spot, which would allow for ingress and egress to the parking lot, Terry said.
In addition, a large green space would be created, with benches, as well as a place for large public sculptures that would enhance community character, he said.
With an eye toward the hamlet center’s “grand vision”, two parcels located across the street that are zoned hamlet business could be connected for pedestrians.
The planning board agreed the suggestions were all a good start and decided to pass them along to the town board for consideration.
Planning board member Martin Sidor said the traffic on Love Lane has grown tremendously in recent years and the plans were a good idea.
Terry said he and Planning Director Heather Lanza would look into sourcing some funding.
Planning board chair Donald Wilcenski said the current parking lot needs to be addressed and part of the project, with signage and other issues part of the discussion.
A complete parking analysis should be included, Lanza said.
Mary Eisenstein, president of the new Mattituck-Laurel Civic Association, applauded the plans and said she was meeting with Russell and members of the Mattituck Chamber of Commerce to see how they can work together with the town .”We’re very excited,” she said.
