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PTC Minutes_01.07.2020 FinalCITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Parking and Traffic Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: January 7, 2020 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Benevento (Chairman), Aaron Clausen (Vice Chair), Sgt Mike Henebury, George Binns, Michael Collins, Leslie Gould, Jonathan Salt, Capt. Ryan Laracy, John Lozada BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury Benevento chairs and opens the meeting at 8:30 am. 2. Approval of 2020 Meeting Schedule Benevento: Motion to approve 2020 meeting schedule. Clausen seconds. The motion carries 9 -0. 3. Approval of Minutes Benevento: Motion to approve October, 2019 minutes as amended. Clausen seconds. The motion carries 9 -0. 4. Continued: Recommendation to the Planning Board: 0 Everett St Site plan review #146 -19 construct a mixed -used building containing 825 sq. ft. of retail space on the first floor and 3 residential units on the second and third floors, together with 9 onsite parking spaces — 0 Everett Street LLC. Bobrek Engineering & Construction, LLC presents the response letter to the Commission. The letter addresses 10 items of concern responded to by the applicant and his team. The items are addressed during discussion. Beginning with the scaling down of units from 3 to 2. They address the sidewalk along Everett St and discuss its replacement and construction. The team also discusses the traffic impact, which is less than 1% according to the traffic impact study. Plans for construction staging on the Hale St side, if necessary, are discussed with their submission to MassDOT for review. The architects also discuss van accessibility and its location on the property. In order to accommodate van access in the same location it results in the loss of the 5' setback. By locating the spot in the front of the building zoning requirements are no longer met due to a loss of a parking spot. As a result the applicant chose to maintain the handicap space as originally shown. Discussion moves to the retail space along with water, sewer, and utility connections. Members seek clarification of what the retail space will be. They inquire if there will be a drive thru or any restaurants as part of the retail. The applicant believes commercial space with no drive thru. MassDOT requirements stipulate the water and sewer connections will be from Everett St. The commission discusses maintaining two way traffic during the construction phase. The architects ensure proper signage supplied during the project and busy travel times informing the public of construction. Chair Benevento confirmed with the applicant that MassDOT will trump whatever the commission includes as conditions, Parking and Traffic Commission January 7, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 approvals or suggestions. Benevento confirms there is no parking permitted on Hale St. as it is a state highway. The applicant confirms at no part of their project will parking occur on Hale St. Members move on to discuss a bike rack and its location as well as public access to the property. The architect confirms the bike rack would be between a 5 -10 spot rack. The parking lot will have recess lighting, no pole lighting. Benevento suggested the hoop style rack with visible location. Capt. Laracy asked if the retaining wall was staying to confirm the main entrance and access points. The architect confirmed the retaining wall will be rebuilt. There being no further comments on the matter. Clausen: Motions to recommend approval to the Planning Board with the following conditions: 1. The plan is approved based off the most recent submission dated 11/15/2019, any revisions or updates must be submitted for further approval to the Commission; the plans are amended to include a bike rack with loops, enough to accommodate 2 -3 bikes; 2. At any time during the construction phase updates or revisions by MassDOT are submitted to the Commission; 3. Any construction on Hale St that impacts the sidewalk be improved to existing condition or better; 4. A copy of the permit from MassDOT be submitted as part of the record. Binns seconds the motion. The motion carries 9 -0. S. Recommendation to the Planning Board: 21 Porter Terrace Waiver of Frontage and Definitive Subdivision Approval to divide one 15,000 sq. ft. lot into, one 5,000 sq. ft. lot (Lot 345) with 50' of frontage on Porter Terrace and one 10,000 sq. ft. lot (Lot 1) with 100' of width on an unconstructed and unaccepted portion of Livingston Ave. — Porter Terrace LLC. Deb Colbert, P.E., Senior Project Manager of Hancock Associates introduces herself. She begins discussion by addressing the turning points along Livingstone Ave and Porter Terrace. Renderings are provided for the commission's review of fire truck access, turning points, drainage installation, plus sidewalk design and construction. She describes the property and the intended use. The Chair specifically asked what will be built on -site. Colbert replied most likely a single family home. The commission's main concerns are public and fire safety access. The commission asked how many waivers the applicant is seeking, Colbert replied 13, mostly for road access and direction. Clausen advised the commission to only consider the relevant waivers and informed the applicant they most likely do not need to return to the Planning Board, only the Engineering Dept. The commission focuses discussion on the sidewalk issue of the drainage swale. The swale cannot be piped because the city encourages no underground construction. During discussion the commission learns this is a paper street. Clausen explains the paper street concept. Property owners surrounding have access, and have a shared joint responsibility of maintenance. One cannot encroach or build upon the paper street. Clausen also clarifies street design is important for future projects. Collins comments it has been difficult for most projects they find themselves approving different waivers only to have a street design later that must accommodate all the particulars in adding sidewalks, sewage, fire hydrants Parking and Traffic Commission January 7, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 etc. Colbert clarifies trying to mitigate concerns without making home owner responsible. Mr. Lozada noted that the proposed sidewalk would terminate where the proposed drainage swale begins. He raised concerns about the accessibility and risks for people with disabilities because of the proposed sidewalk plan creating a risk for mobility impaired persons due to the placement of the swale in relation to the sidewalk. They want to keep the drainage for a 100 year storm. They are seeking compromise for the home owner and the city, and are willing to make a side walk. Utilities will be brought off Porter Terrace not Livingstone Ave. Road materials are discussed. The commission finds the proposed mix of concrete materials and the depth of paving will not support the weight of emergency vehicles, or other heavy tonnage. Over time materials will erode quickly especially for weathering road conditions. Benevento asks Capt. Laracy to explain if new residential properties require fire protection. Capt. Laracy advises as along as the property is accessible fire protection is not a requirement. Benevento further inquired why this is before the commission. Clausen advised the commission purview on this project is 1) can fire trucks gain access to it, and 2) does this support the full functions of a public street. Chair Benevento seeks additional comments from the commission. Sgt. Henebury maintains the police department would like to see this project completed as a proper street in order to properly enforce traffic flow and parking regulations. Capt. Laracy has not further comments as long as a fire truck can access the street. There being no further comments on the matter. Clausen: Motioned to recommend approval of the Definitive Subdivision and Waiver of Frontage given given the project would generate minimal traffic and provides off - street parking consisted with the Beverly Zoning Code; the recommendation is made with the following conditions: 1. The drainage swale proposed for the east side of the private way shall be redesigned to accommodate a sidewalk if it is to be extended to Upland Avenue in the future and prevent a situation whereby the sidewalk leads directly to a stormwater facility. 2. The paving depth and base be constructed consistent with City standards given the current and potential future development utilizing the roadway, and ensuring adequate infrastructure to accommodate public safety equipment. Binns seconds. The motion carries 9 -0. 6. Discussion: Request from Councilor Estelle Rand —fire truck accessibility on Pleasant Street Both Benevento and Sgt. Henebury visited the site and agree fire truck accessibility is an issue. Commission members discuss various ideas from adding signs, on street parking restrictions to issuing warnings to residents. The commission agrees public and residential communication is important, strongly encouraging civic engagement regarding the issue. Members discuss drafting a letter to Councilor Rand and meeting with the residents to discuss where parking restrictions would be. Capt. Laracy interjects noting residents would not want parking restrictions. The street supplies additional parking where the apartment lots are less accommodating or full. He further describes traffic flow on Pleasant Street noting the BFD is aware this is a known concern with one tight corner on Hardy Parking and Traffic Commission January 7, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 St. Recently there have not been major emergency issues with Pleasant Street. Members then discuss signs instructing "no parking here to corner ", permitting residents to park on the street and allow fire equipment leeway to pass through the street. The sign will remind residents not to park near an intersection. Discussion further ensues with dialogue to the street design noting residents should not be parking near the gore and the access drive. Benevento defers to Collins to visit the site and review where the "no parking here to corner" signs be installed. The Chair suggests crafting a letter to Councilor Rand for sign installation. Members agree that plenty of advance warning and communication to residents of any parking restrictions. Benevento clearly states they are not changing any parking regulations on the street. They are reinforcing existing regulations. 7. New /Other Business N/A 8. Adjournment Clausen moves to adjourn meeting at 9:42 a.m. Binns seconds. The motion carries 9 -0. Next meeting February 4, 2020.