Town approves parking limitations near Mattituck’s Love Lane
In an attempt to improve safety and congestion in the ever-popular Love Lane area of Mattituck, the Southold Town Board this week approved measure that would prohibit parking on areas of Pike Street east of the Love Lane intersection.
Vehicles will no longer be able to idle or park on the north or south sides of Pike Street from the eastern side of Love Lane stretching about 300 feet to the east on the northern side of the Pike, and in two areas stretching east on Pike’s southern side, according to the newly amended town code. (Those two areas measure 16 feet from the Love Lane curbline, then again from a point 175 feet from the curb to 125 feet.)
See interactive Google map below.
Highway Department Supervisor Vincent Orlando said “no stopping” signs will be erected within the week to notify the public.
“The parking spots on Love Lane and and Pike Street are clearly defined,” he said. “The signs will be kind of a reminder. If they don’t see a sign, people may think it’s OK to stop there.”
While no one spoke at a public hearing on the issue on Tuesday, Rich Orlowski of Orlowski Hardware sat in the audience, patiently waiting on the vote.
Mr. Orlowski’s said over the years that several parking spaces have been taken away, which he said could have an impact on his business.
“They are taking them one by one,” he said.
Before voting on the measure, Supervisor Russell asked Mr. Orlowski “Will this have a negative impact on your business?”
Mr. Orlowski answered yes, however, adding that he couldn’t see any other way of doing it safely.
“I just hope it’s not going to affect my bottom line,” he said in an interview after the vote.
Board member William Ruland said while he knows parking is at a premium in that area, he said the town couldn’t come up with a better situation.
“The street just isn’t wide enough,” he said.
“We’re going from a small underutilized hamlet to an invigorated hamlet with more people and more cars,” Mr. Ruland said. “What were seeing is growing pains more than anything.”
