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.