Yorktown Hires Traffic Consultant

Yorktown has hired the Sam Schwartz Company as its consultant in response to residents’ traffic concerns.

The Town Board voted Tuesday to retain the Sam Schwartz Company, whose staff will review traffic studies submitted by developers. Schwartz is known to many in the New York metro region as a longtime traffic columnist for the New York Daily News.

“We want an independent and fair review of all traffic plans submitted to us by developers to ensure that the town’s interests are protected,” said Supervisor Matt Slater. “We are expecting several new and exciting development proposals this year and this consultant will help us evaluate the projects.”

The consultant will be paid through escrow deposits made by developers who have submitted traffic studies.

Schwartz was New York City’s Traffic Commissioner and he was the chief engineer of the New York City Department of Transportation. He started his transportation career in the late 1960’s as a cabbie and joined the New York City Traffic Department, as a junior engineer, in 1971.

“The Schwartz group seems like the right one to choose. It checked all the boxes for us and they seem to have the experience in dealing with this size and type of community,” said Councilman Tom Diana.

Yorktown’s point person at Sam Schwartz will be Nanette Bourne, who has 30 years of experience with zoning options, master land use plans, complete streets and waterfront plans, and sustainability and resiliency plans. She also acted as the retained planning consultant for the villages of Mount Kisco, Pelham, Pelham Manor and the Town of Greenburgh.

“It is important to have the right traffic consultant to help us move into the future of Yorktown. The Schwartz group has the experience we need at the time we need it,” said Councilman Ed Lachterman. “It is a pleasure to be part of this administration as we work together to get things accomplished. It is important the project move forward with the full thought and cooperation of the board.”

“This is a critical addition for the town that will protect our community and help assist our decision-making process for the future of Yorktown,” said Councilwoman Alice Roker.