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PTC minutes_10.6.2020 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Parking and Traffic Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: October 6, 2020 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Benevento (Chair), George Binns, Michael Collins, Sgt Mike Henebury, Capt. Ryan Laracy, John Lozada,Jonathan Salt BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Leslie Gould, Darlene Wynne (Vice Chair) OTHERS PRESENT: Emily Hutchings, Staff, Assistant Planning Director RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury Benevento chairs and opens the meeting at 8:30 am. Laracyjoins the meeting at 8:41 am; Gould joins the meeting at 9:05 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: Special Permit Application#175-20 * 282 Rantoul Street—Deviation from parking requirement for a manufacturing use—Christopher M Wrenn, c/o Alexander and Femino Tom Alexander(Attorney), One School Street, Beverly, and George Zambouras (Engineer), 17 Noble Hill Road, represent the applicant, Christopher Wrenn, also present. Alexander presents the deviation from parking requirement request to the Commission in addition to data collected supporting the request. This is a mixed commercial building. The building currently occupies 100% of the site, not permitting for any additional area for parking.The building will continue to function as manufacturing facility, including storage area and some retail space;the business involves t-shirt manufacturing.Alexander presents to the Commission a history of decisions as related to parking and the downtown business economy, where the desire has been to preserve the existing buildings rather than tear them down to create enough parking. Wrenn confirms for the Commission he wishes to further invest in the building as well as confirms there will be no change in employee count, currently 9. Business hours are M-Th, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. The retail hours are to be determined, however, will most likely be 10:00 am - 6:30 pm. The Commission discusses commuting and parking options for the employees. Wrenn seeks to relocate to Beverly which would afford him the opportunity to bike. He would encourage his employees to seek alternatives methods of commuting in order to preserve the downtown pedestrian centric business model. They further discuss not having his employees occupy metered parking on Rantoul and to seek a shared parking arrangement with neighboring businesses if available. Lozada inquires about the placement and use of a bike rack. Wrenn has no issue with installing one for employees as there currently is not one. Wrenn also confirmed for the Commission on occasion a delivery vehicle may occupy metered space briefly, but that it should no interrupt metered parking as whole for customers. There being no further comments. The Commission found that the project would have no greater adverse impact than the existing use and granting of the Special Permit to welcome a new business to invest in Beverly will be beneficial to the Parking and Traffic Commission DRAFT October 6,2020,2020 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 City. Wynne motioned to recommend that the Planning Board approve the Special Permit request for 282 Rantoul Street, consistent with the Beverly Zoning Code, subject to the following conditions: 1. That the owner/applicant shall advise employees not to park on Rantoul Street during working hours and that the owner and employees consider utilizing the City of Beverly Business Parking Program (https://www.parkbeverly.com/business). 2. That the owner/applicant will explore off-hour shared parking opportunities with the property to the rear of the subject property, or other nearby buildings. 3. That the owner/applicant will provide,to extent practicable, measures to accommodate bicycle parking for employees within the building. Henebury seconds.The motion carries 7-0. 2. Discussion: Request to establish and install signage for a loading zone—110-114 Rantoul Street—Beverly Barnat, LLC The applicant is not present.The Commission proceeds to discuss the issue. Benevento reads documentation from a previous determination dated in 2016.This determination concedes the Commission recommended at the time installation of loading zone signage. The Commission discusses the necessity of the signage pertinent to the area including signage enforcement. Henebury provides comments to the Commission and confirms this request is consistent with other businesses in area. Wynne concurs and further discusses the parking issues to the area. Benevento raises safety concerns to parking in or near the patio area for dining patrons.The Commission next discusses payment for sign installation with Benevento confirming from Collins the City will pay for the installation.The Commission comments on the sign schedule and determines the sign should read with familiar language consistently; the hours will be from 7:00 am -9:00 am, seven days a week.The Commission reviews the impact to residents as well as discusses loss of revenue and mitigation for lost revenue since the loading zone will occupy metered space for the specified time. Benevento inquires to the history of City proceedings for such cases. There being no further comments. Binns motions recommend to the City Council they amend the City Traffic Ordinance to include a Loading Zone at the location of 110-114 Rantoul Street; with restricted time between 7-9 am; unrestricted 7 days a week; and advise this is a metered space with slight loss in revenue where the Commission believes the revenue loss overall benefits the downtown commercial industry. Henebury seconds.The motion carries 8-0. 3. Approval of Minutes: None 4. New/Other Business: Salt discusses a recent survey of the preferred bike commuting routes to Beverly businesses. A few areas of interest, such as Dunham Ridge are discussed.The commission discusses lack of infrastructure in certain commercial districts where cyclists do not have protected lanes. Collins suggests for areas like Dunham Ridge that cyclists tour through residential neighborhoods instead of taking main thoroughfares. Parking and Traffic Commission DRAFT October 6,2020,2020 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3 a. Update on Boyles St discussion Henebury completes the requested data collection to round up the Boyles St traffic discussion. Data compiled was 35 days of traffic from August to mid September.The data accounted for north and south bound traffic on Boyles.The north bound traffic concluded almost 20,000 traveling daily cars, averaging about 800 cars per day.The south bound traffic data reviewed a smaller window over a 7 day period. Data suggests the average speed is under 22 mph with 50% speed at 24 MPH. Henebury reiterated the BPD has an assigned route in the area and continues to monitor traffic regularly. There being no further comments. No action needed at this time. 5. Adjournment Wynne moves to adjourn. Henebury seconds.The motion carries 8-0. Meeting adjourned 9:36 am. Next meeting scheduled for 11.10.20.