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2001-09-05CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: Parking and Traffic Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: September 5, 2001 LOCATION: City Hall, third, floor conference room MEMBERS PRESENT: Dennis Tarsook, Bruce Palmer, Tina Cassidy, Sue Mueller (for Pam McGrath) MEMBERS ABSENT: Bob Mead OTHERS PRESENT: Tina Cassidy RECORDER: Cassidy calls the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. and explains that the commission will be reviewing two site plan review applications that have been submitted to the Planning Board. One application is for construction of a six story building at Cummings Center, and the second is for construction of a commercial and a combined commercial / residential structure at 495 Cabot Street. First to be reviewed is the Cummings Center site plan. Gerry McSweeney, representing Cummings Properties, explains that this site plan is very similar to the one reviewed and approved by the commission some months ago. That earlier plan was for a three story office building. This plan shows a building in approximately the same location, but the footprint has been pulled back from the edge of the pond such that it will be outside of the pond's buffer zone. Some changes to the parking configuration have been made as a result of relocating the building, but all of the City's parking requirements are met. Cassidy asks McSweeney to explain the gap in the parking area next to the building. McSweeney answers that the gap will provide a connection between the parking lot and the public walkway that is to be constructed behind the new building. Palmer notes that state laws dictate that the building be fully sprinklered and alarmed, so having vehicular access to all four sides of the building is not critical. Cassidy asks Tarsook and Mueller if they have any questions or comments on the site plan. There are none. Cassidy states she will draft a letter from the Parking and Traffic Commission recommending the Board approve the site plan as drawn. Next on the agenda is the proposed development at 495 Cabot Street. Attorney Tom Alexander represents the developer, Mr. George Bellow of Town and Country Homes. He also introduces Bob Griffin of Griffin Engineering who is present to answer Parking and Traffic Commission minutes September 5, 2001 meeting Page two Alexander explains the details of the site plan, Which include the construction of a commercial building near Cabot Street and a second building to the rear of the property that will have commercial space and residential housing units. Alexander states that there will be a total of 56 parking spaces on the site, and that all spaces are 9' wide by 18' deep. All aisles on the site are designed for one-way traffic, and are 18' in width as required by zoning. Griffin adds that the two driveways on Cabot Street are about 28' in width including the turning radii. Cassidy states that the zoning ordinance specifies a maximum driveway opening width of 25', and acknowledges that what should he required is a safe driveway opening that is able to accommodate truck turning movements. Palmer states that he supports the driveway design from the Fire Department's perspective. He raises the issue of sprinklering the buildings. He says that the commercial building will certainly have to be sprinklered, and Alexander acknowledges that the total area of the mixed use building will trigger the requirement for sprinklers in that building. Palmer notes for the benefit of the audience members who are present that his concern is limited to whether or not a developer meets the regulations of the Beverly Fire Department and appropriate state laws. He cannot base his comments on the other concerns neighbors may have about this development. Tarsook notes that the commission often recommends to the Planning Board that the hours of Dumpster service be limited whenever a commercial operation opens in proximity to residences. Typically, the commission suggests that Dumpsters not be serviced before 7:00 a.m. and not after 8:00 p.m. Cassidy suggests to the members and the applicant's representatives that discussion be opened up to allow audience members to ask questions. A gentleman asks Palmer what size fire trucks he could, get onto this site with the proposed plan: Palmer answers that he could easily get the department's ladder apparatus around the site, and that there would be sufficient area to maneuver the vehicle. An audience member asks if the commission will require a traffic study. Cassidy says that while the commission might recommend that to the plarming board, it has no independent authority to require one. Alexander states that the applicant has in fact commissioned a traffic study, and he hopes to submit it to the Planning Department a week before the Planning Board's meeting on September 20th. Another resident asks if there are traffic concerns stemming from the project's proximity to the Memorial Middle School. Tarsook states that on an earlier filing for a Parking and Traffic Commission minutes September 5, 2001 meeting Page three different project, he expressed concerns about potential traffic conflicts. He says though that the proposed driveway design - which includes two separate driveways for entering and exiting traffic - addresses his concern. Cassidy asks if there are any other qeustions from the audience or the commission members. Hearing none, she states that she will draft a letter to the Planning Board recommending approval of the site plan, but recommending that the Board impose a condition prohibiting the servicing of Dumpsters on this site between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Members concur. There being no other business, the meeting is adjourned at 11:00 a.m.