CITY OF BEVERLY_PTC minutes Oct 2019_Final1Parking and Traffic Commission
October 1, 2019 Meeting Minutes
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD: Parking and Traffic Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: Oct 1, 2019
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Benevento (Chairman), Aaron Clausen (Vice Chair), Sgt.
Mike Henebury, George Binns, Michael Collins, Leslie Gould,
Jonathan Salt
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Capt. Chris Halloran, John Lozada
OTHERS PRESENT: Miranda Gooding, Esq., Marry Bloom, Scott Hausman, Rebecca
Brown, Stephen Drohosky, Christine Trearchis, Daniel Finn
RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury
Benevento chairs and opens the meeting at 8:30 am. Welcomes new member Mr. Jonathan Salt.
1. Approval of Minutes
None to approve.
Principal Items of Business
Let the record show the agenda switched items 43 and 94. The consultant was not present when called for
175 Elliot St and the meeting progressed to 1 Water St.
2. Recommendation to the Planning Board: 1 Water St
Special Permit 9173 -19 and Site Plan Review #143 -19: to construct a 17,500 sf restaurant with a Floor
Area Ratio of 0.42 and associated parking — Beverly Restaurant Associates LLC.
Let the record show Captain Chris Halloran submitted a letter referencing the Beverly Fire Department
review of the Special Permit and Site Plan on September 30, 2019. Currently the BFD has no issues with
the proposed construction and advises they will monitor the access and water supply to the project during
all phases of the construction. Capt. Halloran met with the applicant on -site using Beverly Ladder 1 truck
to demonstrate fire - fighting accessibility. On -site fires would be fought from the Cabot Street side. Any
fire - fighting on the water side will come from the ocean. The truck would not park close to the building if
ever there were a fire due to the seawall, weight of the truck, and potential damage to the truck. The
Cabot Street side permits the truck to use all safety apparatus necessary for fire- fighting without any
obstacles contributing to the surrounding area. Benevento affirms if the Captain is happy with the results
and Clausen advises to make sure a letter is submitted to the Planning Board.
Atty Miranda Gooding of Glovsky & Glovsky, LLC introduces Rebecca Brown, Senior Project Manager
of Greenman- Pedersen, Inc. (GPI), and Marty Bloom owner and principal of the proposed restaurant. The
applicant returns to address to 3 specific areas of concern: 1) to review the traffic operations at the
intersection of IA, Water St, Front St, and Cabot St; 2) to review the parking demand and offsite
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October 1, 2019 Meeting Minutes
overflow; and 3) to review pedestrian and bike public access. In addition to the project areas of concern
MassDOT is funding a roadway improvement project at the intersection of Rte IA (MassDOT Project No
608347). The MassDOT Project No 608347 goal is to improve pedestrian walkways with accessibility
upgrades, add bicycle lanes, implement new timing signals, install new traffic signal equipment and
significantly improve the operations through the signalized intersections.
The committee reviews traffic operations for the project at the intersection for IA, Cabot St, Front St, and
Water St. Brown presents the traffic data and its findings. The design plan was updated and MassDOT
also gave additional data for the project. Benevento inquired where the City evaluated the traffic
operations at the Water Street approach. Brown explained currently the rating is approach a LOS F at this
approach. Once the signal timing is tweaked the Water St approach can be improved to LOS E.
Benevento inquired about the neighborhood and the surrounding streets to include Lothrop St, Water St,
Front St, and Cottage Ln. emphasizing the point of any project seeking approval is to improve traffic not
return to the status quo. He followed up asking if traffic is not ideal, what is the contingency plan to
address the issues. For the light cycle Brown replied people will simply have to queue and wait for that
one light cycle to clear.
Clausen inquired about the timing of the project. Applicant replied estimated 1 year of construction to
anticipate opening the spring of 2021. MassDOT project estimated start in May of 2020. Construction
during peak travel time will be crucial to maintain traffic flow. The Committee will need to see some
construction phase schedules beforehand in order to mitigate traffic flow during peak times. Gould asked
Mr. Bloom if there were any lessons learned with the opening of Mission on the Bay in Swampscott that
are applicable to this project since both are on main thoroughfares.
Comments from the public: Mr. Dan Finn 16 Front Street
Mr. Finn asked for permission to speak, granted by the Chair. In summary, Mr. Finn conducted a mini
parking study during the summer. He has two issues. First, make Water Street a right hand turn only, and
second, the turning radius in the lot will not work. Mr. Finn sites a limousine as an example. Where
would the limousine park for an event like a wedding plus enter and exit the site. Mr. Finn believes the
restaurant is too big for the intended site and the parking data presented is flawed.
Mr. Benevento concurs the traffic circulation flow into the restaurant is an issue. Clausen also notes the
turning point radius must be improved for the intended site. Gould inquired about the shuttle and where it
would be parked while not in use. Members would like to know where employees will be dropped off.
Discussion circles to how the applicant plans to address patrons who use Uber and other shared ride
services plus where those shared ride cars would park. The question was raised if there was any thought
given to reserving spaces for those shared rides and were they included in the traffic footprint. Benevento
also inquired at the frequency of the shuttle. The answer was that currently the shuttle has no set schedule.
Mr. Bloom anticipates the employee shuttle to reflect shift changes which most prominently occurs at 4
pm. Shuttle capacity is 8 -10 passengers for one ride. Brown did not include the frequency of the shuttle in
the estimate preferring to err on the conservative side of data in order to focus on the car and pattern of
existing traffic. Benevento advised the traffic timing will be monitored post opening of the marina to gage
its effects. Clausen brings up the turning point radius for the on -site lot according to current renderings
and would like to clarify that there is no turning point access worse than post construction. For the on -site
parking lot every turning point condition must be better not worse. Binns wanted clarification for the on-
site lot traffic flow in conjunction with the MassDOT project design. Benevento asked if there are
changes to the geometry of the site plan differing from the MassDOT plan.
Discussion continues to the off -site parking overflow. Atty Gooding supplied to the Committee that other
shared lots from the downtown businesses will be utilized in addition to the neighborhood of Lothrop St,
Water St, Front St, the Harbor Master lot, and Rowand's Fisheries. Benevento specifically asked if
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October 1, 2019 Meeting Minutes
current residents would be displaced once the restaurant is open during. Effectively yes during peak
season (Memorial Day through Labor Day). The cycle time at the restaurant is roughly an hour and 40
minutes to 2 hours per parry. On the busiest day they can potentially seat up to 1,500 people cycling in
and out. The restaurant will take reservations. Binns inquired about resident parking only. Clausen
responds the City at this time has no plans to make any of the surrounding streets resident only parking.
Resident parking only is not an option to pursue. It is counter - intuitive to public policy and not a good use
of available parking space. Clausen notes that parking restrictions on residential streets could be
implemented similar to the downtown parking district. These restrictions don't restrict on- street parking
to residents only, however do time limit non - resident parking.
Clausen asked about the ITE data for the table used to plot parking spaces. Brown said the data was
plotted by a restaurant operating at high capacity maximum seats (about 350 seats). The applicant does
not anticipate 350 seats. Sgt Henebury inquired about the fisherman lots and the Harbor Master lot. Is
there any conflict with the commercial fishermen operating their storage units and accessing the
equipment. He also asked whether there are any conflicts of use with the Harbor Master employee. Their
shifts during the summer months are 24/7. Clausen said those concerns were accounted for and there are
no undue concerns. Gooding said they will reach out to the pharmacy to see if they can share that lot in
addition to the other shared spaces. Members again would like to know contingency plans if the original
plans fall through.
Atty Gooding reminds the Committee this project is a working partnership with the city. Clausen inquires
if they are seeking special permit for parking. At present the project does not seek special permit since
they well below the required spaces even if the site loses some space. Atty Gooding assures the
Committee the area has its challenges, the data collected and presented is not flawed, and they will not
run afoul of zoning requirements for this project. Atty Gooding said the area can support the restaurant
and existing conditions.
Benevento affirms when concerns are presented to the applicant post development safeguards and
assurances the issues will be addressed appropriately. The City reserves the right to mandate a parking
attendant for safety at any time. The City also has the right to revisit, monitor, and impose conditions post
development. The applicant agrees to evaluate conditions post - construction.
Clausen motions to recommend approval to the Planning Board with the following conditions:
1. To conduct a monitoring plan post development that includes a review of the intersection if it is
not followed up with MassDOT as part of the intersection project;
2. The post monitoring plan provides an overview of the parking and the TDM measures, and adjust
as necessary;
3. The applicant will submit a construction coordination and phasing plan to the Parking and Traffic
Commission for review;
4. As part of that plan the applicant will provide information where the contractor parking will be
located during construction to mitigate paths in the surrounding neighborhood;
5. The measures of the TDM outlined in the GPI memo dated September 30th, 2019 be adopted and
implemented as described.
Binns seconds the motion. Sgt Henebury abstains. The motion carries (6 -0).
Gould left the meeting at 10:05 a.m.
3. Recommendation to the Planning Board: 175 Elliot St
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Site Plan Review Application #142 -19 — Proposed Police Station to be constructed on a 2.01 acre parcel
located adjacent to the Cummings Center.
Please note for this project there is no special permit requirement.
Let the record show the Cummings Properties submitted a letter of concern addressed to Ms. Ellen
Hutchinson, Chair, Beverly PB, and Mr. Richard Benevento, Chair, PTC on September 30, 2019 signed
by Stephen J. Drohosky, General Manager. The letter stipulates two areas of concern and encourages the
PB and PTC to not move forward with the proposed site plan until the issues are cooperatively discussed
and addressed. The areas of concern per the letter: 1) discussing the unresolved access, egress, and traffic
issues; and 2) resolution of a fundamental development impediment; i.e. the City has no legal right of
access to the parcel in the area it has proposed. The letter notes the Cummings Properties are not against
the project itself, however, they are dismayed by the lack of communication and notification. The letter
cites the lack of time to "review, evaluate, digest, and respond" to the information presented. The
communications received were short of the required time frame allotted, no fewer than seven days, before
the next meeting. General Manager Drohosky insists they need more time to review their concerns in
conjunction with the site plans in order to acquire an internal and independent review. Finally, Cummings
Properties stresses them and the City, enjoy a cooperative partnership and wholeheartedly encourage the
maintenance of their joint collaborations.
Christine Trearchis, PE, PTOE, Senior Project Engineer discusses the timing and signal equipment for the
proposed site plan. Trearchis reviews data and information conducted during the TIA study. Peak parking
and traffic times were utilized as well as crash data supplied by MassDOT for the time period of 2013 to
2017. Trearchis maintains the current data demonstrates a decrease in current traffic activity. Despite that,
an additional 1% growth rate was added on to this study to compensate for any type of potential future
traffic increase.
The Committee defers to Sgt Henebury regarding how shift changes will affect traffic flow during peak
times. Most shift changes are typical between 7:45 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. There's one shift change during the
night between 4:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Trearchis estimates the impact should be minor with signalized
traffic going from a level of service D to E. Current recommendation is to remove some signal time away
from 62 the area which is currently a level F. Post project completion it will remain a level of service F.
The Committee address the secondary access point which should be a left turn only. Collins notes there
was always a no left hand turn sign which Sgt Henebury confirms. At some point during the spring of
2019 the sign went missing and the City has not replaced it. Since then drivers elect to take illegal left
hand turns. Continuing discussion Salt makes inquiries regarding the accommodation of pedestrian and
bike traffic. Trearchis will defer to the architects for that answer.
Discussion continues regarding the traffic issues with the Cummings Center properties providing their
viewpoint. They maintain the city does not have the legal right to develop on the property and cannot rush
the project through the approval process. Drohosky reiterates the traffic concerns for its current tenants
and their employees citing the newly built Middle School and its traffic issues. Sgt Henebury concurs
during the traffic study for the middle school non Cummings patrons or employees were using the various
entrances to cut through the property disrupting traffic flow to access the school. Drohoskly is adamant
the traffic solutions occur before the site plan is approved.
The committee acknowledges the Cummings concerns and defer to Trearchis regarding the traffic issues.
Benevento inquires to the urgency of the project, the railroad preemptions, and would like to know short
of timing what are the other solutions for the traffic issues. Clausen simply replies yes to the urgency of
approving the project. Treacharis maintains tweaks to the timing post project development will suffice.
She notes traffic data was collected after school returned to session which explained the delay on data.
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October 1, 2019 Meeting Minutes
The City does not do traffic counts until school is back in session. That would be misleading and
misrepresenting the data during a slow time of the year as opposed to an average busy normal work and
school day with traffic.
Discussion moves toward the legality of the City accessing the property circling around the legal issue.
Clausen informs the committee and Cummings that the City has unrestricted access part of the deed to the
property. Drohosky vehemently disagrees. Further discussion ensues with Clausen and Drohosky
agreeing to disagree with project transparency and communication. Benevento returning the discussion
back to addressing the specifics for the project. Collins noted the overall scope of the project will improve
and enhance the corridor of Green St, Beckford St and the surrounding neighborhood plus provide for
updated traffic equipment.
Clausen motions to recommend approval to the Planning Board with the following conditions:
Accept the plan as proposed in the TIS by VHB with no Left turn signage installed to restrict the
unsignalized east driveway, conduct a follow on analysis post project development;
A review of the signal timing at the Cummings Center main entrance and also at Elliot St to
ensure timing movements improve, the level of service remains the same as or keeps at existing
conditions;
Maintain correspondence with the Cummings Properties during all phases of project development
and construction.
Collins seconds the motion. Sgt Henebury abstains. The motion carries (5 -0).
Sgt Henebury takes care to recommend further discussion regarding the no Left turn signage while not in
emergency use by the BPD on the east driveway. Police cruisers or any police department vehicle making
an illegal left hand turn while not addressing an immediate emergency situation can become a liability to
regular traffic and drivers. It is also noted by the Cummings properties they will be losing 8 parking
spaces to the project.
4. Phillips Street:
Review a request to consider changing 2 -way traffic on Phillips Street to One — Way traffic
Item moved to the next meeting due to time constraints.
Adjournment
Benevento moves to adjourn meeting at 11:18 a.m. Clausen and Salt concurrently second. All in favor.
Motion carries 5 -0.
Next meeting November 5, 2019.