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2003-07-15Parking and Traffic Commission Public Meeting Minutes - July 15, 2003 Page 1 CITY OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: Parking & Traffic Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: July 15, 2003 LOCATION: Third floor copy room, City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Dennis Tarsook, Clark Mitchell, Leah Zambernardi, Sue Mueller MEMBERS ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: Peter Pujo, 11 Longwood Avenue; Madelaine Pujo 11 Longwood Avenue; Matt Pujo, 11 Longwood Avenue; Mary Albanese, 6 Longwood Avenue; Frank Albanese, 6 Longwood Avenue RECORDER: Leah Zambernardi Zambernardi calls the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and states that the purpose of the meeting is to review an application for site plan review currently in front of the Planning Board. Jack M. Mettee, AICP, Appledore Engineering c/o S.R.WeinerAssociates /Shaws Supermarkets/43 Dodge Street (North Beverly Shopping Plaza): Zambernardi states that the purpose for this meeting is for Site Plan Review #76-03. The applicant is relocating Shaws Supermarket into the former Ames building at the North Beverly Shopping Plaza. They are here today because they are proposing to construct a 690 s.f. loading dock, reconfigure the parking and add landscaping. Mr. Jack Mettee from Appledore Engineering presents the site plan. He explains that Shaws has a building permit for interior renovation and for façade work. Site plan review was triggered because of the loading dock addition. He explains that a curb was added at the west boundary of the reconfigured parking lot. He states that additional landscaping is provided along the main roadway off Dodge Street creating a boulevard effect. This will direct traffic into various parking aisles. This new configuration will be more attractive and safer. He states there are currently 866 parking spaces on site and zoning requires only 635. Mr. Mettee explains truck circulation. He states that tractor trailer trucks will enter off Dodge Street, travel west and around the back of the main plaza over to the side of the Ames building. He states that the larger trucks will use the existing loading dock. He states that the new loading dock is for smaller vendors. He states the tractor-trailers will have 4 or 5 deliveries per day. He states the smaller vendors will have 10 or 12 deliveries per day. He states that Shaws may be open to limiting delivery times. Parking and Traffic Commission Public Meeting Minutes - July 15, 2003 Page 2 Medelaine Pujo, 11 Longwood Avenue, asks about the noise generated by the compactor. Mr. Mettee states that the compactor will be unloaded once every two weeks or so. Traffic Sergeant Dennis Tarsook States that the police can regulate dumpsters. He states that noise at Shaws has never been a problem. He states that noise is generated at pickup time, but not at any other time. He states that pickups are limited to no earlier than 7 a.m. and no later than 8 p.m. He states that the police respond to complaints about trash pickup at off times. Ms. Zambernardi asks the members for their questions and comments. Sergeant Tarsook states that the new stop sign for traffic traveling into the development from Hellard Road is a positive addition. He states that it is literally a “free for all” for cars with the existing traffic pattern. He states the he believes the new parking lot will help the traffic flow. Deputy Chief Clark Mitchell states that he has no major concerns with this proposal. The building is not changing. They are adding sprinklers, which were not in the former Ames store. The building has three sides that they can gain access from. There will be safer materials being sold inside. Frank Albanese, 6 Longwood Avenue, states he believes the project will create a better traffic flow. He states that the house located just north of the development, which is owned by the Plaza, is in terrible disrepair. He asks if something can be done about the appearance of the structure. Mary Albanese, 6 Longwood Avenue, asks if anything can be done to improve access for wheelchair users and nearby residents so they may walk to the development. Sear gent Tarsook states that he believes that the pedestrian access is a decision of the owner, not Shaws. He states that he will call the owner about adding some kind of pedestrian access at the north corner of the site where the former alternate access to the site was located. He will also ask the owner about the house and the owner’s plans for the house. He notes that this is probably not under the purview of this Board although he will call the owner. Mary Albanese, 6 Longwood Avenue, asks Deputy Chief Mitchell if the fire protection is adequate in his opinion. Deputy Chief Mitchell states that the building will be fully sprinklered and it will have smoke detectors, which is adequate in his opinion. There is access out of the building from 3 sides. Ms. Zambernardi asks Mr. Mettee about the absence of trees in the landscaped islands along the main boulevard. Mr. Mettee states that Shaws does not like to have trees that obstruct views of the traffic aisles. Ms. Zambernardi asks Sergeant Tarsook if this is also a policy of the City. Sergeant Tarsook states that the City likes to see either low groundcover or trees with branches that are high enough not to obstruct the view of drivers. Ms. Zambernardi notes that the existing trees onsite are fairly short. Madelaine Pujo, 11 Longwood Avenue notes that a few trees died last year due to the large amount of snow the City had last year. Parking and Traffic Commission Public Meeting Minutes - July 15, 2003 Page 3 Ms. Zambernardi asks the Board and the public if they have anymore questions or comments. There being none, Deputy Chief Mitchell makes a motion to recommend that the Planning Board approve the site plan. Sergeant Tarsook seconds the motion and it passes unanimously (4-0). The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.