PTC minutes_12.7.21 CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD: Parking and Traffic Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE: None
LOCATION: Virtual meeting
DATE: December 7, 2021
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Benevento (Chair), Darlene Wynne (Vice Chair), John
Lozada, Michael Collins,Jonathan Salt, Capt Ryan Laracy, Sgt
Michael Henebury, Richard Vincent
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: George Binns
OTHERS PRESENT: Maya Miatkowski; Rani Jacobson; Scott Houseman, Ward 4
RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury
Benevento chairs and opens the meeting at 8:30 am.
This is a virtual 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. Discussion: Holmes Beverly loading and service plan, 110 Rantoul Street
Wynne provides the updates. The commission will discuss the conditions from the original letter of
approval. The issue pertains to deliveries in the loading zone. Conditions approved prior by the
commission allowed for an ordinance change in exchange for use of a loading zone on Rantoul Street in
front of the restaurant; installed signage; restricted delivery hours in the plaza from 7-9 am due to peak
traffic, however; the applicant may use the loading zone on Rantoul Street during the hours from 7-9 am
and 4-6 pm which the commission approved. Wynne confirmed with the Board of Health the noise
ordinance does not apply to service vehicles. Wynne continues reviewing the hours, delivery schedule,
and delivery truck types. Commissioners discuss safety concerns with the larger tractor trailer trucks.
Sasha Nisenbaum represents the restaurant and reviews for the commission the letter they submitted.
Nisenbaum verifies for the commission all distributors were notified of delivery expectations and
restrictions. Benevento, the loading zone is not long enough to accommodate the large truck size.
Benevento discusses the federal guidelines of large trucks crossing over a double yellow center line. That
is considered a maximum restriction in regards to traffic safety. Henebury offers comments and echoes
Benevento's safety concerns.
Salt asks for clarification on the purpose of discussion. Wynne confirms that the purpose of this
discussion is to review and affirm a plan was submitted as requested in the conditions approved by the
commission. At the time, the owner did not have a tenant to submit a plan. Now there is a tenant and
the commission is following up to ensure all conditions and requirements are complete. Benevento
suggests no changes at this time. The commission should continue to monitor the loading zone use by
large trucks, especially when the occurrence of crossing the double line during deliveries becomes too
frequent.
No action required at this time.
2. Discussion: North Shore Crossing Traffic Study
Parking and Traffic Commission
December 7,2021 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 3
Ron Muller and Tom Alexander represent the applicant. Muller presents and updates the commission
with the traffic study information. Muller reviews data from 2013, pre-pandemic studies and post
pandemic studies. Muller explained at all locations volume is lower than originally projected, about 13%
on average.The intersections are operating better than original projections, which were on the
conservative side, and are consistent. Muller observed customers are making illegal left turn on Brimbal
Ave. There are also vehicles make illegal left turns out onto Sohier Road. Benevento asked if the counts
identified the specific number of illegal left turns. While Muller suggested the restriction may be lifted,
the commission is not inclined to lift the illegal left turn restrictions at this time.
Benevento opens the floor to other members for comment. Lozada inquires about the accident rate and
the roundabouts. Lozada expresses concerns regarding cavalier drivers who do not properly yield in the
roundabout. Muller informs the commission an accident review was not required for the study and that
drivers on the roundabout are not operating at a detrimental level of concern. Muller does not have
further information on drivers properly yielding. Henebury believes the level of service described by
Muller is decently accurate. Henebury also does not have information regarding drivers yielding.
Collins would like follow up information from MASSDOT for exiting onto the access road with a
possibility to lift the current restriction in the future. Muller notes MASSDOT was extremely concerned
about queuing and traffic build up (weaving) in the roundabout. Most likely MASSDOT would be
reluctant to change. Muller endorses lifting the left turn restriction onto Sohier Road. Muller does not
advocate for lifting the left turn restriction onto Brimbal Ave. Benevento asked Alexander if the city
wanted the Sohier Road restriction lifted, would Mr. Cohen have any interest in reconstructing the exit
to allow for left hand turns. Muller notes that all the changes that need to be made are on city property,
and that the city would need to cover the costs. Benevento notes if this was to the city benefit and the
study deemed the distribution was better for traffic flow the city would coordinate with the owner
regarding cost.The city would not appropriate funds to correct the exit. Alexander joins discussion and
confirms the topic has not been discussed with the owner. Overall commissioners agree the left turn
onto Sohier Road is worth reviewing.
Alexander reviews the plan between Essex Street and Brimbal Ave. He notes, any taking or use of public
park land requires 2/3 legislature vote. Asks commissioners to keep that in mind as the intersections are
reworked.
No action required at this time.
3. Discussion: Depot 2/Block at Odell Park Construction Management Plan update
Benevento recaps for the commission a site walk and review of construction management plan.
Henebury accompanied Benevento. The site walk concluded there is no away to successfully maintain
two-way traffic and parking long Park Street. Henbury had temporary signs created for the applicant.
Benevento reviews the one- way traffic and stops along Pleasant Street; suggests further discussion at a
later date. Stopping traffic at the access road to the garage and again further down is awkward. Wynne
mentions this is condition is not a long term one and the development team will have the ability to
review at a later date as the project site advances. Benevento brings to the development team and
contractor's attention while they are supportive of the project, they are not supportive of the mess the
project creates. Benevento asks the developers to please keep the city streets and area clean.
No action required at this time.
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December 7,2021 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 3
4. Discussion: Request for a disability road sign, Madison Avenue—requested by Ward 4
Councilor Scott Houseman
Houseman presents to the commission.This request is at the behest of a constituent's (Rani Jacobson)
safety concerns; who's 12-year-old son is on the autism spectrum. Houseman recaps the discussion
between the parents, Henebury and Sgt Costa. Houseman notes discussion was more broadly centered
on keeping the young boy safe with or without a sign. Benevento reviews and discusses the signage
Houseman submitted. He has these points to consider. Due to known studies such signs are typically not
effective as they do not change behavior. If safety concerns are the result of speeding in the
neighborhood, current speed limits merit review.The discussion poses a broader question of how many
autistic children are in the city and would signage become a standardized addition to the residing
neighborhoods. Henebury offers additional comments. Both Benevento and Henebury conclude a sign
may not be the best remedy for the issue at hand. Lozada weighs in with general thoughts. Lozada
makes clear disabilities are unique to the individual and to create a standardized approach would not be
optimal for future cases. Lozada and Henebury provide resources for further reference. Collins suggests
options for making the child more visible.
No action required at this time.
5. Discussion: parking and traffic issues,Summit Avenue,Cox Court and Lothrop Street—
requested by Ward 2 Councilor Estelle Rand
Councilor Rand is not present for discussion. Benevento recaps the discussion with Rand in reference to
her submitted memo. Collins and Henebury acknowledge it's a multi-layered issue with no one solution
to correct the issues of traffic and matters of thruway convenience. Commissioners comment, discuss
and debate the area's issues. This area has been discussed several times. Benevento opens the floor to
the public.
Maya Miatkowski, Goat Hill resident
Miatkowski returns to the commission. She once again expresses her safety concerns for heavy front
loaders and massive trucks using Cox Court as a short cut to evading traffic lights on Rantoul Street.
Miatkowski asks the commission for time on the agenda during the January 2022 meeting to give an in-
depth review of slides, photos, and video demonstrating the issues.
Houseman provides a schedule update for Rand and her ability to join the meeting. He asks the
commission for a copy of Rand's memo, expressing interest for the broader topic of changing traffic
patterns and parking issues as the city moves forward with development in condensed areas.
No action required at this time.
6. Approval of Minutes: Nov 9,2021
Wynne moves to accept the minutes as presented. Vincent seconds.The motion carries 7-1-0. Salt
abstains.
7. Adjournment
Wynne moves to adjourn. Henebury seconds.The motion carries 8-0.
Meeting adjourned 10:50 a.m.
Next meeting scheduled for 1.4.22.