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PTC minutes_8.3.21 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Parking and Traffic Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: August 3, 2021 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Benevento (Chair), Darlene Wynne (Vice Chair), Michael Collins,Jonathan Salt, Sgt Michael Henebury,John Lozada BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: George Binns, Leslie Gould, Capt Ryan Laracy OTHERS PRESENT: Mike Smith, Kitty Garry RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury Benevento chairs and opens the meeting at 8:30 am. This is a hybrid virtual/in person meeting with special meeting format as required to honor Governor Baker's State of Emergency declared due to the national crisis of COVID-19. 1. Approval of Minutes Lozada moves to approve June 1, 2021 minutes as amended. Salt seconds.The motion carries 5-2-0. Lozada moves to approve July 13, 2021 minutes as amended. Salt seconds.The motion carries 5-2-0. 2. Recommendation to Planning Board: Modification to Special Permit Application#1680-18 to allow for the construction of an outdoor seating space where three (3) onsite parking spaces exist,232 Rantoul Street—NOMSG Properties, LLC Mike Smith represents the client and discusses the project scope for a new patio for outdoor seating. He informs the commission they really only need 6 parking spaces and with that are still in a deficit. Some of the spots are on existing curb cuts.They calculated 22 feet per spot for space.They are requesting to keep the loading/driveway space open when the brewery is closed and limiting parking. Collins notes it's going to be awkward with all the curb cuts. Snow removal has previously been an issue on this property, under the prior owner. Collins inquires if the snow removal would be in a different area. Henebury provides comments on curb cuts. Henebury inquires how the public will know to park in front of the garage doors. Smith notes people simply park there. Benevento inquires of Collins how they feel about installing new curbing. Collins reviews the dimension and the new curb could potentially cut into the road. Collins notes it would not be horribly disruptive. Lozada inquires about general pedestrian traffic flowing through the neighborhood and ADA access. Smith proposes to put the handicap spot in the front of the building. Lozada has safety concerns with traffic pulling out of the driveway. Per Wynne,there's no requirement for handicap space with on street parking. If they want to designate a handicap parking space on the street, it requires City Council approval. Benevento inquires about what happens with the winter time, will it remain open or shift back to parking? Smith said they wanted to put stone pavers in the patio space and will use it as long as possible.They will most likely put one or two cars in that spot.This patio space would not be year-round. Wynne notes any usable space falls Parking and Traffic Commission August 3,2021 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 adds to the parking requirement and thus the relief needed; the new patio requires an additional 2 spaces, for a total of 8. Benevento inquires if they are agreeable to close the curb cuts in front to the building and get the work done for sidewalk, closing the driveway up and will they work with public services to get it done. Smith is agreeable to the sidewalk work and coordinating with DPW. Benevento asks is this an area where there's a cobbled border; Collins says no. Wynne inquires if they would like to stipulate ADA spaces. Lozada notes you want the closest access possible.The Anmol [restaurant at Elliott and Federal Street] location is not too far away and updated crossings are easy to use. Wynne suggested including temporary signage for P3/4 parking that will only be available when the brewery is open. Salt asks if they want a sign when it says available or not available? Members discuss adding a sign and the language for the sign -and noting when it is available. Wynne moves the commission accept the modified plan as presented; recommends the Planning Board approve the additional relief of two parking spaces subject to the following conditions: closing the left two curb cuts; the handicap parking space be marked in front of the establishment; the recommendation serves as a recommendation to city council for said handicap space; and if required, temporary signage will be used to note available parking. Discussion on the motion. Benevento inquires of Collins; do we need to wait to have the moratorium lifted before making this condition. Collins notes there must be consistency with the moratorium and when it is lifted, as approved by public services. Wynne amends the motion. Lozada seconds.The motion carries 6-0. 3. Review and discussion:fines and fees for EV spaces at the request of Chief of Staff Stephanie Billotti Wynne begins discussion informing members the spaces are paid for, even if not EV charging. Members review the sign wording and discuss whether the ordinance requires a change. Collins advises against charging people twice, once on the app then at the parking meter. Per the app once the EV is charged, there is an expensive surcharge for parking while not charging in the space. Members weigh in with discussion points. Benevento believes this should be a charging station only with stiff penalties. Members agree the sign should be clear to inform the public this is a charging station not a parking space. As long as signage is clear, this falls under the prohibited fine structure. Members inquire how long charging is, Collins replies 8-12 hours. Collins notes the customers are highly incentivized to move their vehicle after due to heavy surcharges. Members inquire if they change the sign how many would need to be updated throughout the city. Collins recommends leaving the signs be at the moment. Currently the population is behaving and they want to comply with parking. Next members discuss the fine amount asking what current rates are. Benevento and other members believe the app will mitigate the fines. Wynne, the fine only applies if they are plugged in. So, if the EV parks there, and not plugged in could be an issue. Benevento said that falls into a prohibited ticket fine. Wynne the app does not account for not being plugged in. Henebury returns back to the sign and suggests making it clearer this is a charging station only. Benevento can you put a trail blazer under the sign, "charging station only". Collins feels the signs are redundant in addition to the charging station directives. Henebury if parking enforcement is seeing these things routinely, adjust the signage. Collins notes these signs are approved by the council and the mayor, they are routine verbiage compared with other municipalities. Collins reads the directives from the hook up station, "parking only while charging". Benevento recommends seeing how it works and if it starts to become a problem will be addressed at Parking and Traffic Commission August 3,2021 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3 that time; also noting if this needs to be adjusted this issue belongs with public services and the police department.This issue does not need to return to the PTC. There being no further comments or questions. No additional actions at this time. Salt had technical issues and exits the meeting at 9:15 am. 4. General Wynne has a couple items of discussion. Councilor Feldman asks for a stop sign at the end of Nelson Drive.The councilor notes there is a need due to the extension on the street from two additional homes built. Wynne believes it's more of a behavior issue for neighborhood drivers, not for function. Benevento inquires if this for controlling speed reviewing the stop sign requirements. Benevento notes pending the conditions, stop signs do not control speed. Benevento suggests the councilor attend a meeting. Next Wynne discusses the remarking of crosswalks on Conant and Cabot streets. Does this issue belong with PTC or follow up with Collins. Henebury notes an additional crosswalk by Priscilla Road.The sidewalk was abandoned during construction work. Collins that was removed on purpose due to proximity of signalized section. 5. Adiournment Lozada moves to adjourn. Henebury seconds.The motion carries 5-0. Meeting adjourned 9:31 a.m. Next meeting scheduled for 9.7.21.