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2013-06-04CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: Parking and Traffic Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: July 15, 2013 LOCATION: Conference Room B, Third Floor City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT; Chairman Richard Benevento, Richard Hutchinson, Police Sgt. Russ Rollins, Bill Fiore, John Somes MEMBERS ABSENT: Bill Bent, Tina Cassidy OTHERS PRESENT: Assistant City Planner Leah Zambernardi, City Engineer Eric Barber RECORDER: Eileen Sacco Benevento calls the meeting to order at 8: 30 a.m. 1. Review Recommendation to Planning Board: Site Plan Review #11143: Construction of a New office Building at 50 Dunham. Road -- Cumrnin s Properties Steve Drohosky of Cummings Properties addresses the Commission and explains that they initially presented these plans at the June meeting. He recalls that the Commission requested a traffic analysis and they enlisted the' services of Jacobs Engineering since Jacobs is already working on a project in the same area on behalf of the City. Drohosky reports that Jacob's concluded that the existing infrastructure is sufficient to support a building of this size, and the resulting level of service is comparable to that at other intersections in Beverly and around the Commonwealth. Drohosky states that Cummings recognizes the existing infrastructure may not be adequate to handle another 120,000 s.f. building in the future. Benevento states he is concerned about the effect the building will have on the Level of Service on the residents of Dunham Road. Drohosky reviews the proposed improvements for Brimbal Avenue and notes that Phase I of the State's plans calls for widening the mouth of the exit to allow more traffic to get up on to Brimbal Avenue quicker so they are not recommending any further improvements at this time. Benevento states that Phase 11 of the Brimbal Avenue project has been in the making for 14 years and cautions that he is not suggesting that when that project comes along it will fix everything. He asks what the widening of the intersection would do to the geometry of the area. Drohosky explains that there will be a 14 second time difference (less). He notes that they want to do the project as thoroughly as possible and they anticipate that sometime in the future, further development will trigger the need for traffic mitigation in the area. Benevento states that a LOS reduction from C to D is one thing but from C to E is another thing. Drohosky states that they estimate it to be .d9 which is well under the capacity. Benevento asks if other members of the Commission have questions. There were no questions. Fin aI Parking & Traffic Commission minutes JuIy 15, 2413 Meeting Page 1 of 8 Benevento states that he is concerned that if there are traffic problems that result from the project they will have to be addressed. He notes that in the past the Commission has asked developers to come back to the Commission 6 months or a year after the construction is complete and the building is occupied to reevaluate it. He states that he would be comfortable recommending a condition like that to the Planning Board, explaining that if there is a Level of Service delay then suggested mitigation would be mandated. Drohosky states that they would be agreeable to such a condition but says that 6 months or a year may be early to review the impact, noting that the #500 building of Cummings' Elliott Street facility only reached 50% occupancy nine (9) years after it was finished and at ten years it was at 90% occupancy. He suggests that the time frame for review should be required at some point during occupancy levels of the building. Benevento says he wants to be sure that if this project_ is completed and the residents of Dunham Road come to the Commission with complaints there is a way to address their concerns. Eric Barber suggests that a traffic study should be done after construction of the building and at intervals after that so that there is a baseline of information to work with. Benevento agrees that a year after construction is reasonable, noting that if it is successful then something maybe required sooner rather than later. Drohosky states that a traffic analysis a year after completion makes sense and they want to work cooperatively with the City of Beverly. Benevento states that if the Level of Service is anything less than what is there today, the Parking and Traffic Commission is going to want mitigation. Rollins states he is concerned that there are no sidewalks on Dunham Road and if the number of vehicle trips on the road increases by 900 per day he would be concerned about its impact on pedestrian safety. Drohosky states that there is not much need for sidewalks on Dunham Road and says that the discussion has come up over the years. He adds that people on the street are not willing to give up ten feet of their lawn for the installation of sidewalks. Benevento opens the meeting up to public comment at this time. No one is present who wants to comment on this matter. Benevento states that he would entertain a motion that the Parking and Traffic Commission approve the plan as submitted with the condition that the developer will come before the Parking and Traffic Commission one year after completion of construction to determine if the occupancy of the building is significant enough to warrant a traffic analysis to review the Level of Service. Fiore: motion to recommend to the Planning Board that the proposed site plan for 50 Dunham Road be approved SUBJECT To the requirements that: (a) the developer appear before the Parking and Traffic Commission one year after completion of construction to provide an update on occupancy of the facility and resulting conditions so that the Commission can make a determination as to whether the project has reached a level of occupancy Final Parking &Traffic Commission minutes July 15, 2013 Meeting Page 2 of 8 sufficient to warrant a formal traffic analysis of the intersection of Dunham Road and the project's access roadway; and (b) if a traffic analysis is required by the Commission and results in a finding that the level of service (LOS) at this intersection has degraded further than was presented in Jacob Engineering's report dated June 21, 2013 prepared by Mr. Rod Emery, then the applicant will make improvements to restore the LOS to at least the projected LOS of E. Rollins seconds the motion, all members are in favor, no one in opposition. The motion carries 5 -0. 3. Review Recommendation to Planning Board: Re guest to Modify A -roved Site Plan # 104-1 - 1 - 12 8 Park Street Dennis Britton Dennis Britton addresses the Parking and Traffic Commission and explains his plans to add a loading dock. He reviews the plans and notes the proposed dock area on the plans. Fiore asks how many parking spaces they will lose by adding the loading dock. Britton says they will lose seven (7) parking spaces but that overall, parking on site should not be practically affected because the deliveries will be made between the hours of midnight and 5:00 a.m.. Zambernardi reports that they have sixty (60) spaces on the site and forty -three (43) are required by zoning. Fiore notes that his concern was that they would be under the requirement but they will still have more parking spaces than is required. Benevento asks if there is any public comment at this time. There is none. Hutchinson: motion to recommend to the Planning Board approval of the revised site plan as submitted, seconded by Rollins. All members in favor, none in opposition. The motion carries 5 -0. 4. Discussion with Beverl Main Streets and Engine erin D ep artment: Potential Upgrades to Broad�nray Gin Wallace, Executive Director of Beverly Main Streets addresses the Commission and explains that her organization has been looking at ways to improve and upgrade Broadway to make it aesthetically pleasing to people using it as a route from Rantoul Street to Cabot Street. She explains that a Main - Streets sponsored committee has been working on this and - introduces the committee members who are present. She introduces architect Thad Siemasko who has prepared a design and asks him to make a presentation to the members. Siemasko addresses the Commission and explains that the committee has been looking at the area of Broadway and the possibility of upgrading it to make it aesthetically pleasing as a walking route for pedestrians from the train station and Rantoul Street area up to Cabot Street. He reports that representatives of Main Streets and representatives of the City have been working on this collaboratively. Final Parking &Traffic Commission minutes July 15 , 2013 Meeting Page 3 of 8 Siemasko reviews the plans and explains that Broadway is the major connector from Rantoul Street to Cabot Street. He notes that the area is not in the best of condition and they are proposing upgrades to make it inviting to people walking up there. Siemasko reports that they did research, reviewed parking counts on the street and came up with a schematic design with the input of the Departments of Public works and Engineering and members of the Beverly City Council. He says parking is needed on both sides of the street and they are suggesting planting strips and a wider sidewalk for one side of the street and a narrower sidewalk on the other side. He says they feel the improvements will make the walk more pleasing and safer. He also notes they have considered adding a few benches and period street lighting to be more historically appropriate as the gateway to Beverly for people coming off the train. Siemasko explains that Broadway is a pretty straight roadway, noting that there are a lot of driveways that service multiple - family homes on the street. He adds that a problem with the street now is that the driving lane is narrow and they considered trying to make it a one way street. He states they are proposing a 24 foot wide travel lane with parallel parking spaces and a planting strip with a wider sidewalk on one, side, and a planting strip with a narrower sidewalk on the other side of the street. He also notes that City Councilors did not recommend a dedicated bike path on the street. Siemasko explains the proposed landscaping plan for the street which calls for the removal of some parking spaces and they are here today to get some advice from the Parking and Traffic Commission. Benevento asks if they have approached the abutters in the area about their proposal. Siemasko reports that they have not met with the neighbors yet. Benevento states that they should do a traffic study'analyzing existing traffic operations and they will need the buy -in of the residents on the street. He notes that issues of inconvenience need to be considered as to how the changes will affect the people living on the street. Slemasko states that a lot of the things they are proposing regarding traffic is controlled by zoning. Benevento agrees, noting that some of the things he pointed out are things that they may run into. He says the design layout will paint a better picture of the proposal for the residents. He adds that having a schematic plan will also allow easier input by the neighbors on project elements like tree plantings, etc. for the project, noting that some may even allow the City to plant trees on their property. He states that at the end of the day they are going to have to sell the proposal to the neighbors. Rollins says that aside from wanting to make the area aesthetically pleasing they need to consider safety and cautions them to reconsider installing benches. There are problems in the area now with homeless people sleeping in bushes and benches may be inviting in a way that you do not want them to be. Somes states that he thinks that the idea of making a welcoming pedestrian connection between Rantoul Street and Cabot Street is a great one and suggests that once they start working on it people may start fixing up their properties. Final Parking & Traffic Commission minutes July 15, 2413 Meeting Page 4of8 Benevento notes that enhancements could include bump -outs which are traffic calming measures that also offer locations for landscaping. He reminds them to be cognizant of the fact that if they take parking away they need to consider who is parking there and if the residents on the street are going to be inconvenienced. Eric Barber notes that the Rantoul Street project is moving toward 75 %, completion and the traffic patterns should be determined sooner rather than later. Gin Wallace asks if the Commission would recommend a traffic study be done now. Benevento states that July and August are the worst months to do a traffic study because people are on vacation and school is not in session. He recommends that one be conducted in late September, noting that time is of the essence if the MBTA is going to spend $150,000 - $200,000 for a traffic signal the traffic flow patterns need to be determined. He also states that the Commission will be willing to work with the Broadway design committee as needed. Barber says that he will keep the Commission apprised of progress in planning the improvement project. 5, Discussion with City Engineer Eric Barber continued a. Potential Improvements to Willow Lovett Street Intersection Barber suggests that he will talk to Councilor Slate to see if he wants to move forward on this issue. He explains that the City's yearly allotment of Chapter 90 money has been cut and though the first half of the annual funding is spoken for the second half is not. As a result he might be able to get sufficient funding for the project this fiscal year. b. Si na a Chan es in the Municipal Parking Lots Barber reports that the sign changes in the municipal lots are 85% complete at this point. He explains that some posts need to be installed and they are going to do some kiosk work to alleviate the trash problem. He explains that they are going to re- program the kiosks to give receipts upon request, not automatically as they do today. Fiore asks if K &D Upholstery has'yet received their signs. Barber says they will be installed shortly, noting that sign requires a post that has yet to be installed. C. Cit Road Closure Policies JPractices Barber explains the process that is used now by the. Police Department for road closures. Rollins notes that sometimes the arrangements are day -to- day, like when a water main breaks unpredictably. He notes that pedestrian safety needs to be considered in all road closures and he would prefer that people not have to cross the street to walk around a construction site. He says he would like to see a walkway with a cover for pedestrian access at construction sites. Final Parking & Traf is commission minutes July 15, 2013 Meeting Page 5 of 8 Barber reports that he is working on a checklist that will trigger steps that will need to be followed by contractors for a variety of construction situations. He states that he will bring a draft of that checklist to the next meeting. Rollins notes that decisions are often subjective when determining road closures, explaining that if there is not twenty (20) feet of passable roadway he would require a police detail._ Benevento states that he would like to leave this on the agenda for next month. 6. APDroval of Minutes The minutes of the Commission meeting held on June 4, 2013 were presented for approval. Benevento suggests tabling this agenda item until the next meeting since there are not enough members who were present at the June meeting here this morning to approve the minutes. Fiore: motion to table approval of the minutes of the June 4, 2013 Commission meeting to the next meeting, seconded by Rollins. All members are in favor, no one in opposition. The motion carries 5 -0. 7. New /Other Business a. Review IRe commendation to City Council: order #100 - Prohibition on Traffic Entering Bosworth Street from 3 :00 p.m. to 7:00 Monda throw h Frida - ''Ward 3 Councilor Jim Latter Benevento reports that the Commission has received a request from the City Council to impose a prohibition on traffic entering Bosworth Street from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. He notes that the City Council Order was submitted by ward 3 Councilor Jim Latter. Fiore states that in general, "timed" parking restrictions are difficult to enforce. Benevento suggests that the Commission table the matter to the next meeting and that Councilor Latter be invited to the meeting to discuss his concerns. Members agree to do this. b. WaI reens Submission of Roadway and Si nal Im rovements to Mass DDT and "Sign Off' rki and Traffic Commission Attorney Tom Alexander and Jeff Rhuda are present for this agenda item. Benevento reports that he reviewed the report that was submitted to the Planning Department and refers to comment #7 which suggests the use of APS (Adaptive Pedestrian Signals) standard equipment. Final Parking &Traffic Commission minutes July 15, 2013 Meeting Page 6 of 8 Lori ?? who was also present at the meeting representing Walgreens addresses the Commission and explains that comment #7 requires that the signals conform to APS standards _and the proposed mitigation with the signal timing was not one of the requirements of MassDOT. Rhuda states that Mass Highway looked at a lot during its review and the improvements that they required of Walgreen's are significant. He estimates that the cost of improvements required from Walgreen's totaled $150,000, which included loop detectors and sidewalks and handicapped ramps which will be done next week. Eric Barber reports that all parties involved in the construction of this project have been very accommodating. Fiore: motion to send a memorandum to the Planning Board and the Building Commissioner indicating that the Commission has reviewed MassDOT's comments and recommends sign - off on MassDOT's conditions for the project. Rollins seconds the motion, all members in favor. The motion carries 5 -0. 8. Reg nest for Four Way Stop Sign at Echo and Matthies Street Rollins reports that the request is due to a recent accident at this location. Benevento recalls that the Commission reviewed this matter in the past, noting that the Commission should only recommend MUTCD- compliant signs. Eric Barber will take a look at the area and make sure what is there is compliant and adequate and will report back to the Commission at the next meeting. 9. Reg uest for a "Deaf Child" Sign - 16 Bridge Street Rollins reports that he recently received a request for the City to erect a "Deaf Child" sign at 16 Bridge Street. Benevento will check to see if such a sign is a standard MUTCD sign, noting that it may be a Massachusetts MUTCD amendment. Rollins states that he is not a big fan of unnecessary signage but in the case of disabilities he would like to consider it. Benevento will review and will report back to the Commission at the next meeting. t 10. Request for All Way Sto Sian at Desmond Road and Sunnyyale Street Rollins reports that he has received a request for a four -way stop at Desmond Road and Sunnyvale Street. Benevento states that he thinks that it is unlikely that the request will be compliant but the Parking and Traffic Commission should look at it. 11. Next Meeting Members discuss the date of the next regular meeting of the Commission and decide it will be held on Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at 8.30 a.m. Fin a I Pa rki ng & Tra ffic Co m m issl o n m in u tes July 15, 2013 Meeting Page 7of8 12. Adjournment Benevento asks if there is any additional business for the Commission to conduct at this meeting. There is none. Fiore: motion to adjourn, seconded by 5omes. All members in favor, motion carries 5 -0. The meeting is adjourned at 10:30 a.m. Final Parking &Traffic Commission minutes July 15, 2013 Meeting Page 8 of 8