2013-08-07CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION:
Parking and Traffic Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
August 7, 2013
LOCATION:
Conference Room B, Third Floor City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Vice - Chairman Bill Bent, Richard Hutchinson, Police
Sgt. Russ Rollins, Bill Fiore, John Somes, Tina Cassidy
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Rich Benevento
OTHERS PRESENT:
Ward 2 Councilor Wes Slate, Ward 3 Councilor Jim
Latter, City Engineer Eric Barber
RECORDER:
Tina Cassidy
Bent calls the meeting to order at 8: 30 a.m.
1. Review /recommendation to City Council: Order #100: Prohibition on traffic
entering Bosworth Street from Balch Street from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday
Councilor Latter explains that a lot of traffic from Cummings Center uses Bosworth Street in
the afternoon as a cut - through to avoid the Balch /McKay Street intersection. A Bosworth
Street resident recently asked if the street could obtain a "time" prohibition similar to the
one in place for some of the streets near Henry's Market. Latter had no way to distinguish
this street from those, and so submitted this Order for consideration.
Members of the Commission ask for background on discussions with neighbors. In the past
the Commission has found one or two examples of well- intended Council initiatives that
turned out to be unpopular with the residents affected. Latter says he's spoken with
everyone on the street and all are in favor of the idea.
Hutchinson asks, if this change is made, how will the Commission (or the City) distinguish it
from the next request, possibly from residents of the next street over (Balch Street)? Latter
responds that Bosworth is a very different type of street than Balch. It ends abruptly in a
"T" stop (whereas Balch is a through street) and most people taking Balch stay on Balch to
get to Cabot Street.
Rollins expresses the Police Department's general aversion to "time" restrictions. They are
difficult if not impossible to enforce and there is a philosophical argument to be made about
not allowing the public to drive on a public street.
Members discuss the issue generally and have no outright objection to it, though several are
concerned about the impact the change might have on the Balch /McKay intersection. Those
who obey the signage will stay on McKay and therefore the length of the queue waiting to
take right turns onto McKay Street is likely to increase.
Cassidy: motion to recommend to the City Council that it implement the requested
change proposed in Order #100 TEMPORARILY, on a six -month trial basis so
that the impact of the change can be adequately assessed prior to
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considering its permanent installation. Motion seconded by Somes. Cassidy,
Bent, Hutchinson, Somes, Fiore in favor, Rollins opposed. Motion carries 5 -1.
Councilor Slate asks the Commission to consider taking agenda items out of order to
accommodate Joel Taylor, proprietor of The Doggie Depot on Oak Street.
2. Request to create one 15- minute and one or two 2 hour on street parking
spaces in the vicinity of 15 Oak Street
Joel Taylor addresses the Commission, explaining that his establishment and two others
that share a building at 15 Oak Street have only one off - street parking space to
accommodate their employees and customers. Parking is available (at no charge) in an
abutting lot adjacent to the train station but convenient, short -term parking for customers
of the businesses is nearly non - existent. The spaces are very often taken early morning by
early commuters whose cars remain in the spaces all day. While there is space in the lot to
accommodate the commuters, some prefer the street parking. Mr. Taylor would like to see
the City designate one or two on- street spaces in front of his establishment for shorter -term
customer parking.
Members discuss parking in the area and are generally supportive of the request. Barber
suggests though that the Commission consider tabling a decision until the next meeting. He
would like to assess the parking situation first -hand and suggests there may be more
appropriate alternatives to the traditional "15 minute" or "2 hour parking only" rules. As an
example, if there are area residents or after -hours users, perhaps "2 hour parking only
Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. - noon" would be better. That regulation is used in areas
around the main depot, and allows for overnight parking and weekend use (times when
commuter parking is not at a premium).
Members agree to table discussion to the September meeting and to conduct individual site
visits between now and then. Slate mentions that a formal Order would need to be
prepared in order for the Council to formally amend the parking ordinance. Slate will work
with staff to get that in place.
3. Review /recommendation to City Council: City Council Order #139: Request to
amend parking ordinance to permit one (1) fifteen (15) minute on- street
parking space in front of 330 Rantoul Street
Councilor Latter explains that he "late filed" this Order with the City Council earlier this
week. It requests that one on- street parking spot be designated a 15 minute spot in front of
#330 Rantoul Street. He explains that Family Promise of the North Shore recently relocated
to this address. The establishment offers child care, counseling and temporary housing
assistance to homeless families. There is a need for a short -term space to accommodate
brief visits, child drop -offs and pick -ups, etc.
Members of the Commission briefly discuss the issue and the properties /parking nearby.
Hutchinson: motion to recommend that the City Council amend Article XXI (Motor
Vehicles and Traffic), section 21.13 entitled "Stopping, Standing and
Parking" by adding the following: "(h) Fifteen Minute Parking, Rantoul
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Street, #330 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m." Motion seconded by Cassidy, all
members in favor. Motion carries 6 -0.
4. Discussion /recommendation to City Council: City Council Order #125:
Request for two -way stop sign at the intersection of River and Bridge Streets /
Ward 1 Councilor Maureen Troubetaris
Councilor Slate explains that Councilor Troubetaris could not attend this morning but that
he will keep her updated on the Commission's discussion. Members discuss the existing
intersection and the current problems /shortcomings. It is noted that this intersection is
one of two identified as needing traffic signals by consultants working for the MBTA in
association with construction of the new 500 -car commuter parking lot.
Barber explains that both this intersection and the one at Rantoul and Railroad Avenue
meet the warrants for traffic signals. The MBTA has said it would hope to fund one of the
intersections but could not afford to do both. The Mayor believes the MBTA will in fact
improve both intersections by the time the garage project is completed but there is no
funding specifically earmarked in the garage project budget for that work.
Several potential reconfigurations of the intersection are mentioned, including (a) requiring
left hand turns onto Margin from Bridge (making only right turns allowed at the
River /Bridge Street intersection) and (b) reconfiguring the Bridge /River Street intersection
to incorporate a small roundabout.
Members decide to table discussion to next month to allow staff time to determine what
studies have been done to date, and to ascertain the status of the MBTA's work.
5. Potential four -way stop at Echo Avenue and Matthies Street
Members continue discussion on this issue which started at the July meeting. Rollins notes
that there are speed issues and inherent unique challenges here (sign on "wrong" side of the
curve on a hill). Barber agrees.
Members discuss the fact that once again, four -way stops are permissible by MUTCD only as
precursors to traffic signals. Since that is not the case with this intersection, a four way stop
would be inappropriate.
Bent visited the area and says that some of the City trees need to be trimmed because they
are partially obscuring some of the signage and he encourages the City to trim them. There
is also a large hedge on private property that affects sight distances at the intersection and
should be trimmed as well.
Barber points out that the City cannot enter onto private property to do the work. Rollins
states that he found a city ordinance that the Building Inspector can use to require the
owner to do the work. Rollins says he will forward that ordinance to Cassidy and Barber.
Other than the trimming suggestion, members take no further action on this issue.
6. Potential Improvements to Willow /Lovett Street intersection
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Next on the agenda is continued discussion of potential improvements at this location.
Members recap the Commission's observations made during a site visit to the area in May
and discussion at several subsequent meetings.
Slate summarizes the neighborhood issues and concerns. Members consider the sketch
plan prepared by Benevento at the site visit. Barber says he has reviewed the sketch and
likes the suggestions, but says the City does not have funding earmarked to do the work
which was ball - parked at around $10,000.
Slate urges the Commission to make its decision /recommendation without regard to
funding, saying it is up to either this Mayor or the next one to find the money, and the Ward
2 councilor's responsibility to advocate for it.
Hutchinson: motion to recommend the City consider making the improvements depicted
on the attached sketch plan drafted by Chairman Rich Benevento. Motion
seconded by Cassidy.
Rollins asks for the motion to include language regarding interim measures,
recognizing that full implementation of the sketch plan might be delayed by
lack of funding. He requests the Commission also recommend that the City
consider the following two interim measures:
(a) Paint "STOP" lines on the Hale Street end of both Willow and Lovett
Streets; and
(b) Erect an MUTCD - compliant "STOP" sign at the intersection to augment
the existing "STOP" sign.
The amended motion is acceptable to Hutchinson and Cassidy. On the
amended motion, all members are in favor and none are in opposition. The
motion carries 6 -0.
7. Update from Eric Barber on Municipal Parking Lot Signage
Barber updates the members: Most (perhaps 85 %) of the additional signage has been
installed, but some remains undone (i.e. need for DigSafe okay for poles, etc.). The kiosk
enclosures have yet to be received. He reports that he recently had a colleague who was
completely unfamiliar with the lots join him on a site visit. She offered observations with
"fresh eyes" that lead Barber to believe there is still room for improvement /additional
signage. He will continue working on the issue between now and the next meeting and will
update the Commission again then.
8. Request for "Deaf Child" sign in proximity to 16 Bridge Street
Rollins states that he recently received an email from a resident requesting this sign. He has
no objections to the request, though he notes there is no enforcement per se associated with
it.
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Members are not sure the sign meets the requirements of the MUTCD, so decide to table
discussion of this item until next month.
9. Discussion with Eric Barber regarding City road closure policies and practices
Barber continues last month's discussion by explaining that he has revised the checklist his
office uses with contractors to include the following question: "Is a temporary road or
sidewalk closure needed for the project ? ". If the answer is yes, Barber proposes that review
and approval of a plan to deal with the closure(s) would be required from the Parking and
Traffic Commission.
Members note that such a requirement would be effective but Bent wonders if there will be
problems with schedules in doing so, since the Commission only meets once a month and
contractors may be unwilling /unable to accommodate the resulting delay in their
schedules.
Barber will consider the comment and revisit the draft policy changes between now and the
next meeting.
10. Informal Discussion with Mr. DiBiase regarding potential development at
former Kelleher property on Essex Street
Cassidy explains that Mr. DiBiase has asked for time on the agenda to elicit comments and
suggestions from the Commission relative to parking and /or traffic issues near this site. He
is present at this meeting as are Peter Ogren and Bill Bergeron from Hayes Engineering.
Bergeron explains that DiBiase is hoping to build 18 or 19 single - family homes on the site
which has frontage and access to Essex Street via a shared driveway with the private school
located in front of the parcel. DiBiase met with Cassidy some time ago and she provided
him with copies of the Commission's recent letter to the City Council about traffic issues in
the area. DiBiase and his engineers would appreciate hearing comments and suggestions
from the members.
Members discuss the area in general terms, including the roadways, nearby intersections
and land uses. Bent suggests the owners talk to appropriate school department personnel
to see if there are opportunities to improve access to the Hannah School. The Commission
has spent much time over the years discussion school - related parking and traffic issues and
this might present an opportunity for improvement.
Cassidy suggests they consider studying the Brimbal Ave./ Essex Street intersection. During
its recent site visit the Commission noted that there is no traffic analysis /review on record
for the intersection and having that information would be good for the city. The
Commission noted several potential improvements during its site visit and it might be that
one or two of those improvements would be appropriate for this developer to make.
The Commission expresses its general consensus that existing traffic conditions are difficult
here and while 18 or 19 homes will impact them they clearly have not caused them.
Fiore notes that he has met with DiBiase already about his intent /hope to use Ice House
Lane as an emergency access only to the project. The access would utilize a "breakaway"
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chain, and the private owners would maintain the emergency access drive. Rollins says that
if the Fire Department is comfortable with this arrangement he would have no objections
either.
Barber says he thinks he has a copy of a traffic study that was done by a previous
development team considering this site. He will share a copy with DiBiase if he can find it.
Bergeron asks if traffic studies are usually required by the Planning Board. Cassidy says
that "it depends ". There is a regulation that allows the Board to require one at its
discretion, and they are often required for large projects. Some developers provide a traffic
"review" up front without being asked, in the hope it provides the Planning Board with the
information it needs.
Bent states that the Commission will be reviewing this project and will be looking for an
abbreviated analysis of both the Brimbal /Essex and Brimbal /Colon Street intersections.
DiBiase and representatives thank the members for their time.
10. Approval of minutes: June 4.2013 and July 15, 2013 regular meetings
Bent asks if members are prepared to vote on the minutes.
Hutchinson: motion to approve the minutes of the June 4, 2013 meeting, seconded by
Fiore. Fiore, Hutchinson, Somes in favor, no one in opposition, Bent, Cassidy,
and Rollins abstain. The motion carries 3 -0 -3.
Hutchinson: motion to approve the draft minutes of the Commission's July 15, 2013
meeting, seconded by Fiore. Fiore, Hutchinson, Somes, Cassidy, Rollins in
favor, no one in opposition, Bent abstains. Motion carries 5 -0 -1.
Members next discuss the date for the next meeting and elect to schedule it for Tuesday,
September 10, 2013 at 8:30 a.m.
11. Adjournment
Bent asks if there is any other business for the Commission to conduct this morning. There
is none.
Hutchinson: motion to adjourn, seconded by Fiore. All members in favor, none in
opposition. The motion carries 6 -0.
The meeting is adjourned at 10:25 a.m.
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