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2000-10-11CITY OF BEVERLY MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: SUBCOMMITTEE: LOCATION: DATE: MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Parking and Traffic Commission City Hall, 3rd Floor Conference Room October 11, 2000 Tina Cassidy, Dennis Tarsook, Bruce Palmer, Pam McGrath Robert Mead Finance Director John Dunn, Parking Clerk Connie Linscott Tina Cassidy The meeting is called to order at 10:30 a.m.. The first order of business is discussion on a new type of parking meter technology and the possibility of converting Beverly's parking meters to the new style. Rich LaPointe and Russ Hughes from the City of Salem have been invited to the meeting to discuss their experiences with the new type,of meter which Salem has been using for the last year. LaPointe and Hughes explain how the new style meter works and the process by which the City of Salem solicited proposals for the new meters. They explain the advantages of the new meters: · They are more tamper-proof than the older, traditional style of meter; · They can accept automated cards as well as change; They are easier to maintain and therefore save money on labor expenses and funds lost to "downtime" while meters are being serviced off site Salem representatives state that the average weekly meter collections have skyrocketed as a result of the new meters. Where collections used to average $1,500 - $2,000 per week, the City is now collecting $4,000 - $5,000 per week. They also indicate Salem purchased approximately 500 meters at a cost of approximately $200 per unit. In total, Salem spent about $185,000, which included the meters, the software needed to run the computer progrnms, chip cards, hand-held computer, etc. They believe the City recaptured much of this cost during the first year of meter operation. Members discuss the details of the meters, including power mechanisms, battery replacement schedules, computerized revenue tracking options, easy color-based diagnostics and the "no-freeze" design of the meter. Following the discussion, members thank LaPointe and Hughes for taking the time to share their experiences on the matter, and promise to contact them if the City elects to pursue purchasing these meters for Beverly. Parking and Traffic Commission minutes October 11, 2000 meeting Page two Next on the agenda is a discussion on a proposed site plan for Cummings Properties. Cassidy explains that the company has filed a site plan with the Planning Board, which will he considering the application at its meeting next Tuesday evening. The Parking and Traffic Commission will review the site plan as required by the City's site plan review ordinance, and will formulate a letter of recommendation for consideration by the Planning Board. Bruce Oveson from Cummings Properties addresses the commission and explains the proposaL The plans call for the construction of a three story building that will be used for a mix of office, research and development, and manufacturing uses. The building will contain approximately 147,000 square feet of floor space and have a footprint of approximately 49,000 square feet. 619 additional parking spaces will he created on what is now an unpaved portion of the property; this number of spaces is more than the minimum required by the zoning ordinance. He explains that an existing curb cut on Balch Street will be relocated to the east to increase the distance between it and the McKeown School site, and the second existing curb cut on Balch Street would remain in service. A third Balch Street curb cut, which is not currently being used, would he permanently eliminated with this site plan. Oveson explains some of the interior and exterior construction details at the request of the members. Palmer asks Oveson to confirm that the fire alarm system will have the capability of being reset either at the central fire station or in the field. Oveson states that it will have that capability. Tarsook states his opinion that relocating the driveway is a good idea, and suggests that the commission recommend to the Planning Board that elimination of the third Balch Street curb cut be a condition of approval of the site plan. Oveson states that Cummings hopes to begin construction of the building by next spring. Cassidy asks members to allow a member of the public to pose a question to the applicant, and they agree to allow it. Hope Benne, Hillcrest Avenue, asks why Cummings is proposing to construct more parking spaces than they are required to create under zoning. She suggests that instead of creating excess parking, Cummings should use that area to create additional landscaping on the site. Oveson explains that the proposed site plan calls for the planting of nearly 200 new trees and hundreds of groundcover plants on the property, so Cummings believes they have proposed a comprehensive landscaping plan: Members of the commission point out several reasons why it might be smart for Cummings to create additional parking above the minimum number needed to comply with zoning. First, they must insure there is sufficient parking available to accommodate the customers of businesses that will be located in the building, and second, the additional parking spaces Parking and Traffic Commission minutes October 11, 2000 meeting Page three can be used (with Cummings' permission) for events at the McKeown School where parking is sometimes in short supply. Following a brief discussion, members of the commission agree to recommend to the Planning Board that any approval of the site plan be subject to the condition that the third Balch Street curb cut (which is presently not being used) be eliminated permanently. There being no other business for the commission to conduct, the meeting is adjourned at 11:50 a.m.