Approved October 31, 2022

RESOLUTION OF THE GREATER UTICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO THE UTICA COMMON COUNCIL REGARDING LANE CHANGES

WHEREAS,  the Utica Common Council has voted to alter the flow of traffic on Genesee Street from Cottage Place to Oriskany Boulevard by reducing the road to one lane in each direction;  and

WHEREAS,  the lane configuration will include a designated bicycle path on the outer side of each lane, and a center lane to be used as both a turning lane and unloading lane;  and

WHEREAS,   the new pattern will force delivery trucks to unload materials in the center lane and then carry those materials and equipment across lanes with moving traffic; and

WHEREAS,  this change has been announced as a 90-day trial which will end in January 2023, making it unworkable to undo if necessary until at least late April when repainting of stripes can be conducted;  and

WHEREAS,  numerous Chamber member businesses within the affected area have indicated serious concerns regarding the safety of delivery personnel, the safety of pedestrians, and the potential for loss of business as deliveries become more difficult, particularly at the Stanley Theater in which heavy equipment must be unloaded over periods lasting several hours;  and

WHEREAS,  many businesses in the affected area have also indicated they had no advance notice of the changes nor any opportunity to provide input before the change was made;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce urges the Utica Common Council to conduct public hearings at the earliest possible time to hear from these affected businesses so they can better understand the full implications of these changes and respond to input that could prove beneficial in making alterations to the plan that might improve any potential benefits of these lane changes.