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,
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January 7, 2020 Meeting Minutes
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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
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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
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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.