PTC Minutes_06.02.2020 CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD: Parking and Traffic Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: June 2, 2020
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Benevento (Chair), Darlene Wynne (Vice Chair), George
Binns, Michael Collins, Leslie Gould,Jonathan Salt, Sgt Mike
Henebury, Capt. Ryan Laracy,John Lozada
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: None
RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury
Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12,2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law,G.L.
c.30A,§18,and the Governor's March 23,2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may
gather in one place,this meeting of the Parking&Traffic Commission was conducted via remote participation.
Benevento chairs and opens the meeting at 8:32 am.
1. Recommendation to City Council and Planning Board: Briscoe Village for Living Arts, 7 Sohier Rd,
Briscoe Village LLC
Harborlight Community Partners (HCP) and Beacon Communities returns seeking recommendation from
the Commission. The applicant introduces the team for the call,Thad Siemasko, Miranda Gooding,
Andrew DeFranza, Rebecca Brown, and Darcy Jameson. Rebecca Brown begins the presentation.
Members discuss wayfinding for additional parking. Chair Benevento inquiries if event parking will
include online instruction and wayfinding maps. Brown assures the Commission events posted online
will include a map, wayfinding, and event overflow parking. She details in likeness to the NSMT event
parking schedule. Commissioners discuss the location and placement of additional signage taking care
not to confuse the public with other notable city signs. In addition to parking, commissioners discuss the
possibility of shuttle service from the senior center per Sgt Henebury; who also inquires if residents will
have courtesy shuttle services during events. DeFranza says not at this time. Ride sharing services
utilized before and after events are discussed. Brown details the parking capacity and pick up/drop off
areas for vendors like Uber and Lyft.
Commissioners next discuss bike racks and their locations. Siemasko details the locations, ramps, and
signs for bike storage. Continuing discussion of the area at night and lighting. Collins informs the
Commission as the building is repurposed sufficient lighting already exists since it was a former school.
Commissioners move on to the crosswalks inquiring if they will be re-sunk post construction. Brown
details the only crosswalk change is the Sohier Road/Charles Street section. All other crosswalks will be
restriped and remain in their locations. Salt inquires to the location of the crosswalk near parking at the
MBTA fence. Brown says this remains open for discussion as no location is decided at this point. Collins
comments they are keeping the crosswalks and parking spaces as uniform as possible. Brown also
mentions they strive to clearly define residential versus event parking. Jameson from Beacon comments
parking will be monitored and they intend to assign parking stickers to residents. Salt inquires after a
novel concept if the operator will permit reserving spaces for an event. Benevento asks if additional staff
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June 2,2020 Meeting Minutes
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will be on premises to assist with event parking. Per Brown they cannot comment specifically as it
depends on the operator, the type of event and when the event takes place. Per Jameson the operator
will carefully review and coordinate the parking and traffic concerns.There may be different approaches
pending the needs of the shows and the type of shows.
Benevento points out Beverly does not have residential parking. Binns expresses concern for the
residents outside the village that their parking would be over utilized. DeFranza is sensitive and aware to
balance the harmony of the area with competing interests from residents and patrons. DeFranza will
look into the shuttle option suggested by Sgt Henebury. Lozada suggests the operator provide some
mitigation to the area since there will be a burden for parking in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Gooding points out the team is well aware the auditorium has parking complications for the residents
and adjacent neighbors. It will take time to realize what the true capacity is. Please note the city wanted
the auditorium preserved, it was a stipulation of the RFP. Gooding speaks to overflow parking and
recommends the high school would be another area for shuttle service.
Benevento suggests including as a condition, once an operator is selected, to meet with the Commission
and discuss the parking/shuttle issues to manage parking and traffic. DeFranza agrees. Gooding says
they cannot speak to the future since they do not have an operator selected at this point.
The Commission moves on to traffic signals and timing. Per Benevento the city will square off the Sohier
Road/Colon Street intersection.The city is working with MBTA at Gloucester Crossing to ensure the
signals are operating at maximum efficiency and capacity. Per Brown the Herrick St/Sohier Rd
intersection requires work to repair the signal timing due to cut lines. Collins notes the city is working
with the gas company to get that intersection fixed. Brown notes as the North Shore Crossing center
reaches full utilization the intersection will be monitored for the effect on traffic, especially post COVID-
19. Finally, the intersection of Brimbal Ave/Colon Street will move the stop line up in order to shift the
cross walk back improving sight. Per Brown they seek to try to eliminate the "double" stop and reduce
collisions.
Brown speaks to the pedestrian upgrades all along the site. Better sidewalks, a bus stop for public
transit, and landscaping, etc. Sgt Henebury asks the lines of communication remain open between the
PD and the construction site. In respect to construction please inform and provide the PD with a
schedule of construction events in order to properly mitigate traffic. Per Brown they are happy to have
a pre-construction meeting to speak with everyone and review plans.
Salt offers comments for the Beverly Bike Committee. The Sohier Road suggestions are appropriate per
the project and would like to see more distinction on Colon Street. Salt mentions the Bike Committee
would like to be involved on the bike lane construction from the Brimbal intersection to Essex Street.
Per Wynne Leslie Gould left the meeting at 9:30.
Henebury leaves the meeting 9:51 am.
There being no further comments.
Wynne Motion to recommend to the Planning Board and City Council approval of the Special
Permit and Site Plan for Briscoe Village for the Living and the Arts, subject to the
following conditions:
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1. The areas designated for pick up and drop off include livery services plus ride sharing vendors;
2. Bike racks are included throughout the premises;
3. Wayfinding signage is unique, and implemented clearly directing the public to designated
parking areas for auditorium events;
4. Once an operator is selected the operator meet with the Commission to further discuss parking
and traffic management, including shuttle services and other mitigating methods/options;
5. When a ticket is purchased the public has access to parking information and parking information
is included on the website;
6. Work is coordinated between the applicant and the city for improvements along Sohier Road
and Colon Street;
7. Signal timing improvements are sent to the Department of Public Works.
Binns seconds.The motion carries 7-0.
2. Approval of Minutes:
None
3. New/Other Business:
The Goat Hill letter will be shared with the Commission. It was referred to legal affairs at the City
Council committee meeting last night.
4. Adjournment
Wynne Motion to adjourn meeting at 10:00 a.m. Binns seconds.The motion carries 7-0.
Next meeting scheduled for 7.7.20.