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PTC Minutes_08.04.2020 FinalCITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Parking and Traffic Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: August 4, 2020 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Benevento (Chair), Darlene Wynne (Vice Chair), George Binns, Michael Collins, Sgt Mike Henebury, Capt. Ryan Laracy, John Lozada, Jonathan Salt BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Leslie Gould OTHERS PRESENT: None RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury Benevento chairs and opens the meeting at 8:30 am. This is a virtual meeting with special meeting format as required to honor Governor Baker's State of Emergency declared due to the national crisis of COVID -19. 1. Discussion: Request through Joscelyn Ruelle - Kersker, constituent Services & Project Coordinator, From Maya Miatkowski, Resident of Cox court, to discuss concerns of large vehicles on street. Maya Miatkowski introduces herself and begins discussion. She submitted for the Commission's review traffic videos and photos demonstrating her concerns for thru traffic, specifically large vehicles in the area. The area of most concern is where traffic turns from School St onto Cox Ct. Per Ms. Miatkowski, the infrastructure does not support the traffic. Ms. Miatkowski gives testimony of too much traffic onto Cox Ct including damage to her lawn and traffic overflow heading to the bridge. There are no sidewalks on the street. Benevento discusses truck restrictions per MA DOT guidelines and regulations. Cities may not impose truck restrictions without consulting MA DOT. Collins and Capt. Laracy provide insight to the increased traffic, site views, and the difficulty of the neighborhood street design. Sgt Henebury offers comments speaking to weight restrictions for trucks coming from the bridge. Commissioners fully discuss the effects of hastily imposing restrictions and its effects to other areas of traffic. Salt comments to reviewing the whole area in totality, not only from a Cox Court point of view. Benevento discusses other communities where truck restrictions were granted. Ms. Miatkowski asks if the city could add a side walk to make it noncommercial. Binns speaks to the property damage as a result of a traffic cut thru as well as two separate occasions where fire trucks were impeded from their destination on the street. Binns also suggests involving the local city councilor. Salt clarifies with Ms. Miatkowski that Cox Ct is a two -way street. Commissioners further discuss the issue and agree it requires a more in -depth review. There being no further comments. Binns moves to continue the discussion to the next meeting September 1, 2020. Lozada seconds. The motion carries 8 -0. 2. Discussion: Request through Ward 5 Councilor Kathleen Feldman, Raymond Farms /Streets behind Henry's Market, concerns of signage and rules of residents. Parking and Traffic Commission August 4, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 Kathleen Feldman of Ward 5 speaks to the traffic restrictions during rush hour for the streets of Cabot, Tremont, and associated streets behind Henry's Market. One solution Councilor Feldman proposes is to not block the streets (Clifton, Ellsworth, County Way and Scott), leading into the intersection. The residents also feel that the traffic restrictions during rush hour also prevent them from leaving their neighborhood for work, specifically left -hand turns onto 97 North /Cabot St. Benevento offers comment to past traffic studies done in the area as well as imposed restrictions from time to time and their effects on traffic in area. Commissioners discuss why resident only streets are counter - intuitive to traffic flow and efficiency. Benevento also discusses the recent MA DOT contract awarded and the work to be completed in the area. Traffic flow should be safer and more efficient. Benevento reiterates the regulations and guidelines per MA DOT for municipalities to impose restrictions on major roads, routes and highways. Collins discusses the prep work for pre- construction currently in the area. He informs Councilor Feldman the project has effectively started. Councilor Feldman inquires if the traffic restrictions imposed during construction would be lifted or if it is a separate matter. Benevento informs Councilor Feldman that is a separate matter. Sgt Henebury discusses the residents positive support for traffic reinforcements in the area. Salt seeks clarification for where specifically is the concern, a) for restrictions on the neighbors /residents in the area, or b) commuters going through the neighborhood. Salt defers to conducting neighborhood reviews post project completion to determine the true impact to the area. Councilor Feldman recaps the residents feel restricted in the area yet agrees to a review post project completion. There being no further comments. No action needed at this time. 3. Recommendation to the Planning Board: Definitive Subdivision Plan —Livingston Avenue Map 9, Lots 370, 371. 372 & 378 to extend the improved portion of Livingstone Avenue 280 + ft within the 40 ft right of way frontage for 2 new single - family residences — 7 Porter Terrace LLC. Bob Griffin represents the applicant. Mr. Griffin reviews what the Commission approved in January 2020 for road construction and development including sidewalk installation and extension as well as swale removal. Mr. Griffin continues to discuss the plan design and construction with particular emphasis on gas /water /sewer lines brought in along the 40 ft right of way through Porter Terrace. Mr. Griffin assures the Commission through past attempts the land closest to the wetlands (lot 3) will remain un- buildable so as not to disturb the wetlands. Mr. Griffin outlines the waivers for the project. Benevento reiterates that the private way must be documented for future buyers; that the private way is not subject to public or municipal services despite paying property taxes. Cpt Laracy speaks to the turning radius and the cul -de -sac extension for fire truck /emergency vehicle accessibility. Cpt Laracy discusses the dead -end street fire hydrant and in- ground sprinkler systems installed. Capt. Laracy does not believe there are any issues getting onto the street so long as the mouth where Upland turns onto Livingstone remains open. Sgt Henebury requests the appropriate signage per the private way. Collins offers comments to the Commission for dead -end street utility maintenance for Livingstone Ave and expectations of future home buyers. Salt inquires who controls speed limits on private roads. Per Sgt Henebury the PD does not enforce speed limits on private roads with the exception of criminal activities. Wynne offers comments to the Commission regarding the project evolution and waivers sought by the applicant. Lozada speaks to the sidewalk design and safety for pedestrians. Binns inquires if the bread loaf curb provides more protection than the cape cod berm. Benevento weighs in the commission Parking and Traffic Commission August 4, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 prefers the cape cod berm with a grass strip. Griffin responds they will apply the Commission's preferences to the project for the sidewalk. There being no further comments. Wynne moves to recommend to the Planning Board they approve the plan and grant the waivers requested by the applicant per the plan submitted in the application package with the conditions: 1) The road will be constructed with bituminous pavement consistent to the previously approved project; 2) Signage be posted indicating it's a private way; 3) The side walk extends to the edge of the driveway of lot 2; 4) Ensure accessible features to the sidewalk; and 5) Ensures the deed and title specify to indicate the property is a private way and municipal services are not provided. Binns seconds. The motion carries 8 -0. 4. Approval of Minutes: Binns moves to accept March 3, 2020 minutes. Lozada seconds. The motion carries 7 -1 -0. Chairman Benevento abstains. Binns moves to accept May 5, 2020 mins. Salt seconds. The motion carries 7 -1 -0. Lozada abstains. Binns moves to accept June 2, 2020 mins. Salt seconds. The motion carries 8 -0. 5. New /Other Business: Change of parking restrictions along the Dane Street beach area Collins discusses the need to change the temporary parking sign restrictions be permanent along the lower portions of Hopkins and Hale Streets. This would be consistent with other parking restrictions in the area and should have been done sooner. Due to COVID -19 the necessity was evident in the moment. Sgt Henebury agrees and offers comments to the Commission for his position on the matter. Commissioners further discuss the issue. There being no further comments. Collins moves to make a recommendation to the City Council amending the parking restriction to extend the no- parking prohibition on the west side of Lovett and Hale Streets. Wynne seconds. The motion carries 8 -0. Stop sign placement at the cross section of Beverly Hills and Sunset Drives Parking and Traffic Commission August 4, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 Sgt Henebury was contacted by Councilor Rotundo to suggest the possible installation of a stop sign at the end of Beverly Hills and Sunset Drives. Sgt Henebury weighs in and believes this is an engineering issue not a police issue. Benevento clarifies for the commission the purpose of the stop sign per state and local regulations is not to control speed. Sgt Henebury offers comments that the stop sign would be to help regulate traffic where one street ends and the other begins. There being no further comments. No action needed at this time. 6. Adjournment Binns moves to adjourn. Henebury seconds. The motion carries 8 -0. Meeting adjourned 10:15 am. Next meeting scheduled for 9.1.20.