Loading...
2024-04-02 Parking and Traffic Commission minutes CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Parking and Traffic Commission LOCATION: Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot Street, 3rd Floor Chambers DATE: April 2, 2024 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Richard Benevento, Vice Chair Darlene Wynne, Jonathan Salt, Dayna Morton, Sergeant Dana Nicholson, Captain Jake Kreyling, City Commissioner Michael Collins BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: City Engineer Lisa Chandler, Ward 2 City Councilor Danielle Spang, Jacqui Granfield of 7 Jasper Street RECORDER: Naomi Moca Welcome and Call to Order Benevento chairs and opens the meeting at 8:30 a.m. 1. Public Comment Period Jacqui Granfield of 7 Jasper Street is present and states that while she understands the need for many streets to be closed during utility construction, she would like to understand why Procopio was permitted to temporarily make Goat Hill Lane one-way. Granfield expresses that exiting the neighborhood has been very difficult. Benevento states that with the many construction projects in the City, it is very challenging to accommodate the construction and the residents of the neighborhoods. The primary concern of the Commission is safety in the construction area. The developers,who typically contract with traffic engineers, must present their plans to the Commission. Benevento states that the Commission strives to keep a balance between safety, traffic, and efficiency to get the work done as fast as possible to keep inconvenience to the neighborhoods at a minimum. Benevento explains that the Commission is made up of volunteers and he takes offense at Granfield's email stating that the Commission receives kickbacks from developers. Granfield states that it feels impossible to get students to school on time and that everyone is late. Benevento compares these delays to waiting at a train crossing or stopping for a school bus in traffic. Granfield expresses gratitude that Ward 2 Councilor Danielle Spang made residents aware that the public can attend the Commission's meetings. 2. Recommendation to the Planning Board: Site Plan Review #165-24—50 Balch Street— Cummings Properties Chair Benevento recuses himself due to his affiliation with the same firm as the applicant's traffic engineer. Rod Emery of Tighe and Bond and Stephen Drohosky and Mike Aveni of Cummings Properties are present. Aveni shows the project location within the Cummings Center site plan. Emery presents the traffic impact assessment and parking data. There are currently City of Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission April 2,2024 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 8 4,212 parking spaces in the Cummings Center; after construction there will be 4,099 parking spaces, where 3,550 are required by the Zoning Ordinance for the entire site. Construction of the project will result in the loss of 113 spaces and 106 spaces are required by Zoning Ordinance for the new project. Drohosky explains that Cummings Properties surveys the site's parking monthly and notes there are consistently empty parking spaces. Aveni states that there will be parking under the building and shared parking. Overall there is ample parking on the site, with ample bicycle parking. Emery states that he re-analyzed the intersection at Balch Street and McKay Street and the new signal has reduced traffic by 50%. Emery observed the left turn out of Balch Street was at capacity with F levels of service, meaning delays of up to 120 seconds. Emery recommends re- timing the signals and recommends increasing crosswalk visibility by adding a ladder crossing. Emery observed that Balch Street should have double yellow lines. Vice Chair Wynne asks what the intention is in removing one of the entrances. Aveni states that there are five entrances, with four in the area being discussed today. The applicant plans to close one and move it to be better aligned with the driveway. One of the two other entrances is within the building footprint, and the other will be expanded to the west to make it a two-way entrance. Thus, four entrances will be turned into three. Wynne asks about the counts and turning movements, observing that there is a no-left-turn sign exiting the Beverly Middle School that drivers often disregard. Emery advises keeping the no-left turn sign. Sergeant Nicholson questions how June has the lowest traffic volume,based on his experience with directing school traffic in this intersection. Emery states that the data refers to June dates when school is not in session. Nicholson states that he has directed gridlocked traffic in the middle of Balch Street. Collins recommends that the applicant tie in water, sewer, and electric utilities on Balch Street when school is not in session. Aveni agrees that construction on Balch Street will occur when school is not in session. Collins observes that closing the driveway improves the area by allowing the crosswalk to be better aligned. He asks how pedestrians will enter the Cummings Center. Aveni states that the applicant has been considering expanding the island and creating a sidewalk or converting some parking spaces into parallel parking, with the goal of creating a sidewalk that goes deeper into the Cummings Center. Aveni states that being able to walk the pond was a concern of a resident at a neighborhood meeting. Salt states that the Cummings Center is not pedestrian- or bicycle-friendly. Nicholson states that school traffic is a nightmare. Salt asks about the impact of moving the entrance. Emery states the main advantage is that the whole driveway being removed eliminates the conflict with the school drive aisle.Nicholson states that a lot of parents park in the Cummings Center, and then students walk across the street, thus alleviating traffic. Aveni points out that there is ample parking further away from any building on the site that is available. Emery states that Balch Street and McKay Street signals have not yet been accepted by the State. Captain Kreyling states that the entrances need to conform to firetruck turn radiuses and approaches. For example,trucks bottom out when entering. Kreyling asks what type of materials City of Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission April 2,2024 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 8 will be used for this podium construction style. Aveni states it will be made out of steel. He adds there will be ten spaces for electric vehicle (EV)parking. Kreyling asks the total height of the building. Aveni answers 50 feet. Kreyling asks if the potential for additional vehicles with the influx of employees from Shetland Park has been considered. Drohosky states that the Registry of Deeds and the Department of Children and Families (DCF)have approximately fewer than 10 visitors per day. While DCF's presence may increase traffic somewhat, it is admittedly an unknown. Drohosky states that the population accessing the Cummings Center ebbs and flows and in the monthly count, the number of vacant spaces has gone from 800 to 1,800. Drohosky reckons that trend may be due to hybrid work models. Kreyling expresses concern about emergency vehicle access to the building since it is already a challenging area to access. Aveni agrees to revise the plan to include the fire vehicle turning movements and provide it to Kreyling. Kreyling cites his observation of frustrated drivers on Balch Street. Drohosky agrees and states that the heaviest use of Balch Street is a half hour each morning and afternoon due to school traffic. Wynne asks about traffic cutting through the Cummings Center. Emery states that the speed bumps through the Cummings Center deter drivers from using Elliott Street and notes extra trips were assigned that way in the traffic study. Salt asks why the left entrance was chosen to be the widened entrance. Aveni explains that its advantage is that it already exists, plus the other entrance under consideration has a grade change, a utility pole, a retaining wall, and an island. Wynne asks where the bicycle storage will be located and about the easement shown on the plan. Aveni states that each space will have a storage container in front of the parking space for a bicycle and personal belongings. Aveni explains that the project is zoned as a subsidized 55 or older residence which is defined as 80% of units being occupied by at least one resident age 55 years or older. Thus the applicant anticipates zero school-age children. Wynne asks if the units are two and three-bedroom. Aveni states they are all one and two-bedroom units. Drohosky states that the applicant consulted with Streamlined Communities and learned that market demand is for two-bedroom units. Kreyling states that no construction vehicles may use Balch Street, and there may be no staging or blocking of the roadway on Balch Street. Drohosky agrees to the condition. Aveni states that the equipment will at times use the unconstructed patio areas to stage lifts. Morton asks if the parking spaces will be assigned and Aveni answers that it has not been determined and there will be 35 or so spaces under the building. There are also two garages within walking distance. Every unit will have at least one parking space within the garage. Granfield states that the class coming in Grade 5 is one of the biggest classes yet, so there may be more vehicles next year. Kreyling: Motion to recommend that the Planning Board approve Site Plan Review Application 9165-24— 50 Balch Street—Cummings Properties with the following conditions: 1. Construction in the Balch Street roadway and water and sewer tie-ins must occur when school is not in session. Aside from the utility City of Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission April 2,2024 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 8 connections in the street, no construction vehicles or construction activity shall block or use Balch Street during construction. 2. Prior to beginning construction, the applicant shall present the Commission with the temporary traffic control plan to be used during construction operations. 3. Prior to beginning construction, the applicant shall provide the Commission with a pedestrian circulation plan that allows residents to connect to amenities in the Cummings Center. 4. Prior to beginning construction, the applicant shall provide the Fire Department with a plan for making the turning radiuses and the approach angles to the entrances conform to Fire Department safety standards. 5. The applicant shall keep the no-left-turn sign that faces the middle school exit. 6. Construction deliveries are not permitted to occur during the school day start or end times (8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.). Collins seconds. Motion carries (6-0). 3. Fire Department Policy related to parking garages and electric vehicle parking— Captain Jake Kreyling, Beverly Fire Department Fire Prevention Office Kreyling states that the Fire Department has developed a policy that will be posted on the website. Fire codes and building codes are changing rapidly, as are sprinkler codes related to parking garages because of EVs. EV fires behave very differently and while adopting a code can take years, Essex County has proactively developed this recommendation. It was implemented on the Rantoul Street project and every other new development has accepted this policy, as well as insurance companies, with special attention to podium-style construction projects. Benevento asks if EVs are more volatile than closed combustion engines, and whether they are harder to extinguish. Kreyling answers that EVs are equally volatile. The codes that govern extinguishers in parking garages are from the time when vehicles were more metal-based. EV fires are nearly impossible to extinguish, so the recommendation is to let it burn. For this reason, sprinkler systems are designed to keep mitigation long enough for people to get out of the building and keep the structure from being destroyed. Kreyling says Beverly is a very EV- friendly municipality and the Fire Department encourages this green goal, but it needs to be done safely. Salt asks what the definition of a parking garage is. Kreyling answers that the policy specifically addresses podium-style construction where the cars are below the living space, not standalone parking garages. This building design does not account for the length of time EVs burn and the ignition of cars surrounding them. The Fire Department's focus is not on cars, but rather on not losing people and property. Morton asks if the policy is retroactive. Kreyling says it is only for new construction. Morton asks about the chemicals from the fires. Kreyling says smoke from City of Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission April 2,2024 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 8 batteries is noxious and toxic, and highly lethal if inhaled. Kreyling says it is challenging tactically speaking to fight a fire in this type of structure and this is a predictable problem that can be addressed now. Kreyling: Motion to endorse the electric vehicle parking and design requirements policy by the Fire Department as written and forward to the Planning Board. Collins seconds. Motion carries (7-0). 4. Discussion with City Engineer a. Update to parking regulations—parking changes at LP Henderson Road City Engineer Lisa Chandler is present and states that the administration is seeking changes to the parking ordinance, which includes;prohibit parking on the south side (eastbound direction) of LP Henderson Road from Cabot Street to the intersection with Sam Fonzo Drive; and prohibit parking on the north side (westbound direction) from the intersection of Cabot Street and LP Henderson Road to the entrance to the bathhouse,where that distance is approximately 190 feet. She adds that the City is building a sidewalk on LP Henderson Road. As part of the recent construction at 105 Sam Fonzo Drive, a sidewalk was installed for the extent of their parcel on LP Henderson Road. The City will continue the sidewalk to Cabot Street. There will be no parking on one side of LP Henderson Road. The site is popular for Saturday morning soccer games and pickleball courts. Chandler says she plans to formalize how the 170 spaces in the parking lot. Benevento asks why parking is being restricted to a single side of the road and Chandler explains that it is a width issue on LP Henderson Road and a sight line issue within 20 feet of the intersection with Cabot Street. Ward 2 Councilor Spang asks if the lot will remain locked. Chandler states that the site is run by the Recreation Department and intended to be opened only when in use. The remainder of the time it remains locked to protect the lot and fields. Granfield says the site may become crowded during pickleball tournaments. Wynne says that tournament coordinators may request to have the lot opened in those instances. Kreyling: Motion to send a memo to the City Council stating that the Commission has reviewed and supports the request of the Engineering Department to prohibit parking along the south side of LP Henderson Road from Cabot Street to Sam Fonzo Drive and to prohibit parking along the north side from Cabot Street to the bathhouse. Salt seconds. Motion carries (7-0). 5. Construction or project updates,if any a. Temporary traffic control plan: Site Plan Review#156-22—4-6, 8 Rantoul Street and Portion of 10 Rantoul Street—Amara(f/k/a SW Rantoul Gateway)—Procopio Companies City of Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission April 2,2024 Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 8 Benevento says that the ire of residents of the neighborhood for Procopio's project gets directed at the Commission and while he was offended by Granfield's email, the Commission is nonetheless sensitive to the concerns of the neighborhood. Nicholson says he evaluated the site and is ready to shut it down. Benevento says the Commission wants the project to be successful but will shut it down if the construction traffic management plan is not followed. Nuccio apologizes and says when the subcontractor started work at 9:00 a.m., Procopio promptly hired a new subcontractor. Nuccio shares the written traffic management plan for the next three months and says Procopio has been 100% clear with contractors. There have been a couple of missteps and angry neighbors and for that, he apologizes. Benevento asks when the road is shut down completely, if there is advance signage so drivers know where to go. Nuccio answers that detour signs are in place now, and Procopio can provide additional signs if requested. Nicholson says Procopio has been receptive whenever there is an issue and responds immediately.Nicholson says he does not appreciate emails and phone calls from councilors and neighbors and he will not tolerate any more issues at this site. Kreyling says the Fire Department will continue to communicate with police details. Nuccio says email updates are regularly sent to Ward 2 residents who signed up for emails. Granfield confirms that she has received emails. Kreyling suggests having a direct conversation with the bait shop owner as his business's busy season is approaching. Collins comments that with better weather,pedestrian activity will increase and that working underground is challenging since it is not always known what will be unearthed. Benevento asks about the signal.Nuccio answers that as of March 15, 2024, the signal control transitioned from MassDOT to Beverly. Nuccio says he will check with the City Engineer. Salt asks Procopio to review the agreed-upon signage plan, as he hasn't seen all signs he expected. Collins comments that a lot of things have not been addressed yet on the punch list. Nicholson says he has received complaints about the work starting at 7:00 a.m., the one-way on Goat Hill, and other issues from residents, City Councilors, and police officers. Nicholson acknowledges that Procopio is easy to get in touch with and is able to rectify situations quickly. Nuccio says the unpermitted 7:00 a.m. start has been addressed and that signs arrived yesterday to alert drivers to the entrance to the site and the direction of the detours. Spang says she finds entering the area to be tricky, especially when there is a truck parked close to the corner. Spang says when there is construction at night, residents alert her every single time and that a generator was left running overnight on three different dates. Wynne says that construction is permitted to continue until 8:00 p.m. Nuccio clarifies that a generator has been needed on a few occasions. Granfield clarifies that earlier she was not suggesting the Commission was receiving kickbacks, but rather the City, and she acknowledges that the members are volunteers and take the time to work through these issues. Granfield says that at times she has been unable to exit her driveway. The tendency for drivers in the neighborhood is to drive through the stop sign at Cox Court, so City of Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission April 2,2024 Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 8 residents opt to follow Water Street. Kreyling says that he requested the temporary one-way on Goat Hill Lane because while the project had to take a street temporarily,this is the only access point into Goat Hill for fire trucks. There is no alternative at this time based on the street layout of that area. Granfield comments that residents do not know till morning which street is open and which one is closed and getting to Cove School from Goat Hill is a nightmare. Morton suggests adding a communications link to the Procopio website as well as sending regular email communications. Nuccio says that Pasquale Triantafyllou of Procopio talks to the bait shop's owner weekly. Granfield asks if there will be parking under this building and Nuccio answers yes. Kiesel says that the Project Manager remains on site all day every day. Nuccio agrees to have the marketing department add the City website link to the Procopio website. Granfield expresses gratitude that Procopio has consistently communicated via email and says that the responsibility of signing up for the emails and reading the messages falls on the residents. b. Post-development monitoring study update—Mission Boathouse— 1 Water Street —Beverly Restaurant Associates LLC Bloom says that the restaurant runs a shuttle four times per day where the van parks at a church and shuttles employees to and from the restaurant. Bloom says employees have been using alternative ways to get to work, such as bicycles, and these guidelines are part of new employee training. Bloom plans to hire around 50 employees for the Summer 2024 season, bringing the total to 110 or so. Spang says that she hears from residents of the Fish Flake neighborhood about patron parking for Sunday brunch at the restaurant, and she tells them that there is no resident-only parking nor Sunday restriction in any part of the City. The Commission discusses that a parking demand and inventory study may be helpful. Bloom says the former Rowand's lot has been open the last three weekends in a row and two hours 15 minutes is the average turnaround time for a parked car in their restaurant.Nicholson points out that the Anchor Pub across the street from the Mission Boathouse is extremely popular,thus all the blame is not on the Boathouse patrons. Salt asks how the restaurant encourages patrons to park in the public lots such as the former Rowand's location. Bloom says that there is a map on the restaurant's website showing where parking can be found. Wynne adds, from her experience, if a customer makes an online reservation, the automated email includes where parking can be found. Kreyling emphasizes that data is needed to define the problem, such as the requested survey. Nicholson says that there will be construction on the Beverly-Salem Bridge in the Summer of 2024, as there was in the Summer of 2023 also.Nicholson says the amount of complaints the Police Department receives is staggering. Collins explains the project will entail conduit work and installation of a cable. City of Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission April 2,2024 Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 8 The Commission discusses revising its recommendation to the Planning Board to eliminate the reference to a traffic study. The members agree that the issue has been parking, not as much traffic. Bloom expresses clarification on where the boundary is between what is the restaurant's responsibility versus the City's responsibility. Benevento says that information regarding on- street parking in the neighborhood and public parking lots may be beneficial. Bloom says that he has observed that the traffic backs up on Water Street due to the signal at where it meets Cabot Street. Collins says that there is an existing punch list of tasks for that intersection and the timing of the signals may be adjusted. Granfield asks what the specific complaints are regarding the public street parking. The Commission discusses that residents feel proprietary about the parking spaces in their neighborhoods,when in fact it is a public space. Approval of Minutes: a. February 6,2024 The members review the February 6, 2024 draft meeting minutes. Kreyling: Motion to accept the February 6, 2024 meeting minutes as written. Morton seconds. Motion carries (7-0). 6. General or new business a. Anything not known by the Chair prior to 48 hours before the meeting,if any, that cannot wait until a future meeting. Kreyling updates the Commission that the property across from the Anchor Pub was purchased by the restaurant's owner and will be merged with the adjacent lot to make a single private parking lot, which will hopefully alleviate some parking issues in that neighborhood. The owner of the Anchor Pub will regulate the lot with signage. Collins updates the Commission that the four to five intersections on Elliott Street are close to being finished. The GRIDSMART cameras are connected by fiber to all signals and the Police Department so the lights can be adjusted as needed. Adjournment Salt: Motion to adjourn. Wynne seconds. Motion carries unopposed. Meeting adjourns at 10:41 a.m. The next regular meeting of the Parking and Traffic Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 8:30 a.m.