2002-09-19CITY OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION: Parking & Traffic Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: September 19, 2002
LOCATION: Third floor copy room, City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Dennis Tarsook, Clark Mitchell, Debra Hurlburt
MEMBERS ABSENT: Sue Mueller, Robert Mead
OTHERS PRESENT: Leah Zambernardi
RECORDER: Leah Zambernardi
Hurlburt calls the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. and states that the purpose of the meeting
is to review several issues related to the site plan for congregate housing for the elderly at
2 Boyles Street and also to review a site plan modification.
Whitehall Hill Realty Trust/2 Boyles Street:
Hurlburt states that the purpose for this meeting is for Site Plan Review #72-02 which
includes the construction of 20 multi-family buildings, the rehabilitation of 5 existing
buildings and associated site and utility improvements for congregate housing for the
elderly at 2 Boyles Street. Attorney Thomas Alexander, Engineer Bob Griffin and owner
Henry Bertolon are present. Hurlburt explains that at the last meeting of the
Commission, members agreed to table discussions on this application until the applicants
could provide more detailed information on snow storage, salt/sand mix and grade.
Engineer Bob Griffin explains that the snow storage and salt/sand mix were issues more
related to the Conservation Commission and that he would wait to address them until
those hearings. Mr. Griffin explained that the concern of the Parking and Traffic
Commission was with the 10 percent grade of the driveway off of Hale Street and
whether fire trucks would be able to access the site through this entrance. He continued
that they could address this concern by accommodating a connection for emergency
access only between the two roadway systems serving the Hale Street and Boyles Street
developments.
Mitchell asks about sprinklering in the townhouses. He states that code requires that all
buildings over 7,500 square feet or with 4 or more units be sprinklered. After some
discussion, Henry Bertolon agrees to sprinkle all new construction and the former
mansion/clubhouse.
Mr. Griffin states that the applicants believe the development does not need sidewalks
because the roadways will be reasonably flat and the traffic volume is anticipated to be
low. He states that there will be walking trails open to the public through the designated
open space although they will not have gates or formal trails.
Mitchell states that he could agree to the emergency access road if the applicant agrees to
sprinkler.
Tarsook states that he has no further comments because this is a private development. He
states that the site distances from the driveway abutting 252 Hale Street are good, being
that it is a one-way.
Hurlburt asks Tarsook that if the applicants are conditioned by the Conservation
Commission to use a sand mix on the steep grades, how the police department would
view this. Tarsook responded that there are several areas of the City with grades equal to
or higher than this proposal. He added that as long as it is sanded (if required) or plowed,
the police department would not have a problem.
Tarsook makes a motion to recommend that the Planning Board approve the site plan on
the condition that an emergency connector is provided linking the roadway system
serving units off Boyles Street to the rest of the development and that this connector shall
be for emergency access only. Also, all new construction and the former
mansion/clubhouse must be sprinklered. Mitchell seconds the motion and it is passes
unanimously (3-0).
Datum Data & Time Frequency/34 Tozer Road:
Hurlburt explains that Datum, Inc. received site plan approval on January 17, 2001 for
the construction of an addition to the existing office building at 34 Tozer Road. The plan
also included the creation of additional parking and landscaping. Datum, Inc. has
submitted an application for a modification to the site plan (Site Plan Review #62-00),
which includes changes to the landscaping and parking plan.
Greg Burnett from Samiotes Consultants, Inc. explains the proposed modifications. He
states that the elevation of the parking lot has been lowered to match that of the existing
building. He states that there have been minor changes in the parking configuration to
accommodate the landscaping changes. He identifies these locations on the plan.
Mitchell asks if there will be any obstacles to getting emergency apparatus onto the site.
Mr. Burnett states that there will not be.
Tarsook makes a motion to recommend that the Planning Board approve the site plan
modification. Mitchell seconds the motion and it is passes unanimously (3-0).
The meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m.