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PTC Minutes_12.12.22 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Parking and Traffic Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: None LOCATION: Beverly City Hall Council Chambers DATE: December 12, 2022 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Richard Benevento (Chair), Darlene Wynne (Vice Chair), Captain Jake Kreyling, Captain Michael Collins, George Binns, Jonathan Salt BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Sergeant Michael Henebury OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Naomi Moca Benevento chairs and opens the meeting at 8:30 a.m. Pursuant to Chapter 107 of the Acts of 2022, Section 3, this meeting of the Beverly Parking& Traffic Commission was conducted in person but with remote participation through the Google Meet platform. 1. Continued Discussion on Recommendation to Planning board: Site Plan Review #156-22 -2628, 8R Cabot Street:4-6, 8 Rantoul Street and portion of 10 Rantoul Street —Southwest Rantoul Gateway,LLC Chris Koeplin of Beverly Crossing (Applicant) and the project proponent, Miranda Siemasko of Glovsky and Glovsky, Scott Cameron of the Morin Cameron Group, Rebecca Brown of Greenman-Pedersen, Inc., are present. Jeffrey Dirk of Vanasse and Associates, participating remotely to discuss his peer review response letter from December 7, 2022. Benevento clarifies the intent is to discuss open comments. Dirk states he prepared a second round of peer review comments that that he received responses to at the end of last week. The remaining comments that Dirk was discussing with both GPI and the applicant's site engineer are primarily focused on two areas. The first was the access into the site from Rantoul St, which had been the subject of discussion with the Planning Board as well. The applicant has come back and revised that access which is a one-way entrance. There was concern about left turn movements from Rantoul Street entering the driveway and how those left turns might impact the operation of the intersection. The applicant redesigned that access so it will be right turn enter only and provided the appropriate signage there to indicate the functionality of the driveway. Based on analyses,it affected about 3 vehicles accessing the driveway. It will redirect vehicles to come around and use the Goat Hill Lane entrance. It does not have a significant impact in terms of traffic operations, but will benefit the flow of traffic on Rantoul Street. Second, Dirk states that in response to concern about circulation on the site itself as well as parking, specifically spaces that are located at the end of the drive aisles, the applicant submitted Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission December 12,2022 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 9 turning analyses. The applicant has committed to make sure those spaces are only assigned to compact vehicles as part of the management plan. Dirk points out that as a residential project, the users of those spaces will be parking their personal non-commercial vehicles, and that in an urbanized area this type of parking management as part of resident conditions is common. Dirk states that overall, he is satisfied with how the applicant has addressed the peer review comments. Salt asks which items in the comments Dirk is referring to,comment T-3 or T-2. Brown answers S-9. Salt requests that speakers state the item before presenting to avoid future confusion. Dirk states that the applicant is committed to the project's property manager serving the role of transportation coordinator on site. This role will be in contact with the City and the North Shore Transportation Management Authority (TMA), and will assure those spaces are managed as directed. Benevento points out that a traffic management problem will typically be addressed quickly, since residents will vocalize if there is a problem. Benevento expresses frustration over continuing issues with existing nonrelated construction management in the City, and requests a construction traffic management plan from the applicant. He gives the example of traveling to the Commission meeting this morning, half of Park Street was closed, in addition to a Dumpster blocking the street. Furthermore, every parking space that is reserved for commuters and the public on Railroad Avenue was occupied by contractor vehicles, construction vehicles, and equipment. He observes that the fence enclosing the construction on Railroad Avenue continues to move farther out into the street. In this case, the project being adjacent to the commuter rail is causing traffic problems and blocking access for commuters on their way to work. For this reason, he requests a construction traffic management plan with conditions that it be adhered to. By Benevento's observation, ongoing projects around the City are demonstrating declining compliance with construction traffic management plans, so the applicant has zero credibility with him that the public is not going to be impacted by this project. He states that the Commission and the applicant share the goal of the project being successful, but that residents trying to go to work and to their daily activities do not necessarily share that goal. Benevento states that he is aggravated with approving a construction traffic management plan only for it to not be complied with,road closures being the most problematic. He cites the discussion with the applicant at the last Commission meeting that any closure to connect utilities to the project will happen at night, off peak traffic hours, and he concedes that step is necessary. Another condition he requests in the construction traffic management plan is the phasing and implementation of the steps. Koeplin states that he not sure if the dumpster on Railroad Avenue was being removed or emptied. Benevento counters that Koeplin should know this information and take responsibility. Koeplin states that his company does not decide to close road. Wynne clarifies that police make that decision in the moment based on various factors, safety being of foremost importance. Benevento counters that there was no traffic detail this morning on Park Street. Siemasko suggests that a meeting between police, the applicant, Wynne, and the Commission might be Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission December 12,2022 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 9 beneficial. Benevento gives the example of when the Commission saw the original traffic management plan for the Railroad Avenue project, they were aware that certain aspects of the work would affect traffic flow on Park Street, such as the installation of the steel, but that the scope of the project has encroached much further than planned on Railroad Avenue and on Park Street, and for a duration of a year and a half thus far. Wynne asks what the latest site plan date is. Siemasko states December 7, 2022. Salt asks which document is being referred to. Wynne answers it is the comment on the peer review. Salt comments that it seems impractical to ask residents to place bikes on the wall above cars on parking garage wall. Benevento states that was discussed. Brown clarifies that the bike parking will be staggered with the parking spaces, so bikes will be mounted on the wall in between vehicles. Brown elaborates that there is a three-foot striped buffer between the wall space and each parking spot, and a bump out. Brown reminds the Commission that residents will also have access to storage on each floor, adjacent to the elevator, as an option for parking bikes. Salt asks where this information is written. Brown states it is in last response before previous Commission meeting and that visually,the site plans reflect the described designs. Salt comments that lack of convenient accessible places to park a bike will lead to bikes being placed in random places throughout the building. Brown agrees. Salt clarifies that it is not written anywhere in the documentation. Koeplin states there is a three-foot buffer wall and bumper. Siemasko clarifies that there is a curb stop three feet between the wall and the car,plus the mounting apparatus is off set between cars. Salt asks how many bikes will the apparatus accommodate. Koeplin answers that it can accommodate two bikes. Benevento clarifies that essentially bike storage is adjacent to the line separating parking spaces. Siemasko asks about the payment to TMA, $15,000, and states that the applicant is open to suggestions, that if there is a pilot program for a shuttle that is approved in the future, the applicant will donate up to $15,000 to that. Wynne states that if the City were to initiate a shuttle program, the TMA would likely not be involved. Siemasko asks for clarification on the wording, similar to the 40 Dunham Road project. Kreyling comments in support of Benevento's earlier statements about roadway obstructions. The Fire Department has been noticing that there have been some emergency responses affected by road closures. Kreyling points out that the site of the project is a crucial area for maneuverability. He suggests that based on the new intersection layouts and the access to Goat Hill Lane, some language in the conditions addressing that would benefit emergency responses. For example, that the roadway itself not be obstructed, and that if any encroachment in the roadway is permitted, it be just the sidewalk or the parking areas up front. Wynne agrees and states that this could be a condition for the Commission. Siemasko clarifies that the applicant's donation of up to $15,000 is for a shuttle pilot program to the City. Benevento asks if there is such a pilot program. Wynne states no, and that this language is too specific. Siemasko agrees and suggests removing"pilot" and stating that the donation is for a shuttle program, and placing a time frame on the donation. Benevento expresses concern that the donation may be used in other areas,if the language is too general. Wynne suggests Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission December 12,2022 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 9 wording that states that if the donation is not spent on said purpose within a certain amount of time, for example if no shuttle program is established in that amount of time, it will be used for transportation or commuter benefit. Salt states that the language should be defined and clarified. David Dines of 5 Pilgrim Heights suggests that whenever the donation is utilized in the future, the Commission must approve it. Benevento agrees. Koeplin suggests the issuance of the certificate of occupancy as an inflection point where the condition expires, or the donation gets made, or the disbursement of funds is voted on by the Commission. Benevento asks when the Commission can expect construction management plan. Koeplin states March or April. Benevento clarifies that it would be required before the applicant receives the building permit. Koeplin agrees. Nancy Marino of 9 Wellman Street asks if a traffic study has a count of the number of cars using Goat Hill Lane, and how many are anticipated to start using Goat Hill Lane as a result of this project. Marino states the area is already expecting to be impacted by the construction of a restaurant. Benevento states that this data was in traffic study and covered in a previous meeting. Brown elaborates that the study conducted several counts on Goat Hill Lane at different times such as weekdays,weekends, and peak periods. There were roughly about 40 cars in each direction in the morning. In the Saturday-midday time period, there were about 70 cars westbound with about 40 cars eastbound. She states the traffic was a little bit heavier in the evening peak hour with people traveling home and cutting through that neighborhood. Marino asks how many more cars will be added to Goat Hill Lane as a result of this project, considering that it may be used now for both access and egress from the new project. Brown answers that the study projected that about 6 new vehicles will be using Goat Hill Lane during any of the peak periods on weekday mornings, afternoons, and Saturday during peak periods, based on the number of units and occupants from the project. In both directions, the total will come to 13 additional vehicles. Benevento asks whether new sidewalks will be constructed in the area outside the reconstructed intersection, around the perimeter of the property. Koeplin answers that new sidewalks and updates to comply with accessibility will be constructed along Cabot Street, but not curbs. Benevento asks if it is advisable to add outstanding tasks for Public Services to the conditions that fall outside the scope of the applicant's responsibility, but need completion. Collins states that sidewalk snow removal per City ordinance is the responsibility of the property owner. Wynne summarizes the proposed conditions that the bike parking areas will be staggered between cars and, additionally, storage units that can accommodate bikes are available on each floor. In lieu of the $15,000 donation to the TMA as referenced in the peer review letter, the applicant will make a donation to the city for a shuttle program that the city establishes. If the money is not spent on the shuttle by time of payment,we can discuss how those funds can be spent on another commuter-related benefit that the City has established subject to the allocation of funds, being reviewed by the Parking and Traffic Commission prior to expenditure. These funds will be contributed prior to the certificate of occupancy. Residential parking spaces shall be assigned to the units and monitored by property management staff.Non-resident vehicles Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission December 12,2022 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 9 found using the parking will be towed. Tenants in the building are not eligible to participate in the City of Beverly residential permit parking program, and this shall be communicated to the residents at the time of marketing, and included in the tenant lease documents. Benevento adds that a construction management plan shall be required and submitted to the Parking and Traffic Commission for review and approval as early as possible before requesting a building permit. The curb area should not be impeded without a plan and appropriate signage sidewalk closures must be included, and that the applicant will not obstruct road in a way that causes the Police Department to close the road. Wynne moves to make a recommendation that the Planning Board approve the plan review for Southwest Regional Gateway, subject to those conditions summarized above. Seconded by Binns. Motion passes 6-0. Benevento discusses construction management and road closures,particularly that it is not appropriate for the project to put the decision to close the roads in the hands of the police and thereby pass the responsibility or blame. 2. Request for discussion from Ward 5 City Councilor related to the following: a. Corner of Nelson &Wirling Drive turn/sight line and right of way b. Pedestrian crossing no right on red at corner of Dodge/Enon across from MBTA c. Embossed crosswalk on Brimbal at Walden/Oakmont d. Too fast red/green switch at Conant/Cabot Benevento comments that these concerns may be better addressed by the Public Services and Engineering Departments. Item D - Collins explains that the traffic light has a short delay before it turns green in the opposite direction. Collins believes the Ward 5 Councilor had a discussion with Sergeant Henebury resulting in the above list. Item A—Collins states that there has been discussion about the Nelson Avenue and Wirling Drive intersection,which is very wide open. Item B—Collins states that the State has agreed to put a no turn on red blank out sign at the Dodge Street and Enon Street intersection. The shipment has been delayed due to supply chain issues,but is currently en route. Item C —Benevento asks what an embossed crosswalk signifies, and Collins explains that it is an expensive decorative style of crosswalk, but does not serve to communicate any traffic message to drivers. Kreyling states that since he lives in the area, he has observed that from the MBTA station to Laurel Street there is an embossed handicapped ramp with no corresponding crosswalk, and he has observed a lot of people from North Beverly cross Dodge Street in that location. Collins Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission December 12,2022 Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 9 confirms that there is a crosswalk at Laurel Street but no crosswalk across Dodge Street. Benevento asks if it is an apex handicapped ramp and Collins answers yes. Benevento states that items on the list from the Councilor are important matters, but that with the exception of supporting anything that improves safety in operations, the Commission cannot effect these changes within the scope of its role. For this reason, Benevento proposes preparing a response stating that the Commission supports any improvements to safety and traffic operations, and that these items should be referred to Public Services and the Engineering Department. Item C - Salt observes that from an aerial perspective, in the image onscreen, there is a crosswalk on Walden Street, and that it is on the approach to the North Beverly Elementary School. There is a projection walkway at the end of Walden Street leading to Tozer Road so there is a certain amount of traffic that goes in that direction. Wynne replies that while there is a crosswalk in place, the request from the Councilor is that it be enhanced. Benevento comments that the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)is specific about what it will permit between the white lines of crosswalks. Benevento asks if there are signs in advance of the crosswalk and Collins answers yes. Salt asks if there is a crossing guard. Collins answers no. Collins has observed good vehicle compliance with the crosswalk due to the good line of sight. Kreyling states that as a frequent user of these intersections, his greater concern is crossing from Walden Street to Tozer Road, which pedestrians may use to walk to the shopping plaza. Collins states that the City would like the MBTA to construct a crosswalk there, but the State throws it back to the City to install a pedestrian crosswalk at the railroad, which is expensive and probably would take many years to accomplish. Salt observes that from a Complete Streets perspective, Walden Street is a powerful street because it takes pedestrians to the plaza. Collins states that in 2008 the City formalized the footpath by having it paved. Collins spoke to the Superintendent and learned that the City is busing students from the Beverly Commons Apartments to the North Beverly Elementary,which is a short distance, because there are no sidewalks on Tozer Road. Collins states that a no turn on red blank out sign has been ordered to place at the right turn onto Enon Street from Dodge Street to prevent vehicles from turning on red while there is a pedestrian in the crosswalk. The State approved the change, but sign is stuck in transport with supply chain issues. 3. Approval of Minutes: July 19,2022,August 2,2022, September 13,2022, October 4, 2022,November 15,2022 Kreyling moves to accept all the minutes as written. Seconded by Salt. Motion passes 6-0. 4. General or New Business a. Discussion at the request of Beverly Bike Committee on traffic calming on "Country Roads"including Standley Street, Foster Street,Boyles Street, Cross Lane, and Common Lane.Advisory discussion only. Salt summarizes that in his role on the Beverly Bike Committee, he has spoken with Mayor Michael Cahill, Sean Ciancarelli from Engineering, Erina Keefe from Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission December 12,2022 Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 9 Sustainability, and Darlene Wynne from Planning and Development to collaborate on a map with bike infrastructure based on Complete Streets and on bikers' experiences riding these roads. Salt states that 10 miles of the plan has already been incorporated. The BBC also met with Cahill to discuss the plan. Cahill shared the map with Ciancarelli, Keefe, and Wynne to discuss the plan from a City point of view, as the map is designed from the BBC's point of view. Salt comments that what used to be "country roads"have become busier, and gives an example of his own unsettling experience biking on a Saturday morning along Standley Street where a vehicle behind his biking group honked and yelled at them, then turned into the City compost site. He gives the example of Boyles Street being frequently used as a cut through to Route 127, and cites that the speed limit is posted 20mph in one direction, but not in the other direction. Collins expresses his frustration that in the traffic world, data is based on decades of research and study, but that in the biking world, there is unfortunately a lack of research in this realm, and as yet there are no proven research techniques. Collins gives the example that sharrows are proving to be dangerous, and he further predicts that bike committees in general will agree with that conclusion soon. Benevento comments that there is limited right of way, and that he would like the perspective of bikers on what is the most effective means to make people, pedestrians, bicyclists, etc., feel safe, including drivers of cars who are mindful/nervous while passing/negotiating with a bicyclist. Benevento agrees that it is a challenge on a country road with limited right of way. Benevento asks Collins what signs or measures have proven effective, such as "share the road" signs. Collins states his opinion that the only truly safe bicycle facilities are separate facilities, which are very hard to implement. Collins credits the massive improvements on Standley Street to the water main project and widening the road, although closing the road for construction was not popular with drivers. Benevento asks what type of measures might be effective. Salt states that the Beverly Bike Committee is not keen on sharrows, and notes that paint on the road will eventually wear away. Salt suggests more permanent signage that sends a message such as a 25mph sign, giving the example of Hart Street where he lives. Benevento asks if those are special or city-wide speed limits and Collins answers special. Salt observes that on some streets, the speed limit is 25mph one-way, but not in the opposite direction. Collins states that the different speed limits are based on research and Benevento clarifies that the state has conducted research on curves and other dynamics of roads to reach those speed limits. Wynne agrees that it is very common for one street to have different speed limits in opposite directions. Collins states that at every entrance to Beverly there is sign stating that the city-wide speed limit is 25mph, unless otherwise specified. Wynne asks how Manchester-by-the- Sea has a 20mph speed limit on School Street. Salt state that the speed limit does not exist anymore, and that it improved quality of life in Manchester, especially with kids riding bikes to school. Collins states that another example of research is the discussion of Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission December 12,2022 Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 9 "children" signs in the roadway. He states that as a parent,that sign seems helpful, but it does not necessarily increase safety. Benevento elaborates that research into that sign found what while it made parents and political leaders feel better, the end result was encouraging children to play in the street. Salt asks if he should ask the Beverly Bike Committee what they want, and all Commissioners say yes. Collins states that he would love to learn from the BBC what research has proven is effective in other communities. Salt agrees to do so, and states that he will also talk to MassBike to find out what other cities do. Salt gives the example that the infrastructure like Boston would not be appropriate for Beverly, and that connections and other measures make biking safer. Collins points out the success of the construction of the shared path on Sohier Road nearing completion, and Salt states that he observed an electric wheelchair user making use of it the other day. Collins points out that while driving, multiple signs can create visual noise,whereas a single sign is going to really get the attention of drivers. b. Member of the public comments Dave Dines of 5 Pilgrim Heights states that one day, when he was coming home from downtown via Greene Street to Woodland Avenue, the streets were closed due to a multi- vehicle accident. He also states that he has observed lots of salting on major roads and asks if it is worthwhile to re-evaluate different streets' priority. Collins answers that hills and main roads are prioritized, and observes that there is always a finite moment in every storm where things are going to be slippery, no matter what measures are taken. Dines states that he goes around 4-6 p.m. every day to a day care in the Cummings Center to pick up his granddaughter. He observes that there are road closures at 8:15a.m. due to road construction, and he asks if construction starting at 9 a.m. would be appropriate. Collins answers that in this climate,there is a shortened construction season. Collins observes that Colon Street goes from "insanely busy"to "ghost town" at certain times of the day. Dines states his concern about a crosswalk on Bridge Street that operates with a push button crossing signal. Dines says the situation is similar on Ryal Side at the Kernwood Bridge, and that a push button crossing signal may be appropriate at Crescent Avenue and Kernwood Avenue, right before the Kernwood Bridge. Collins states that there are already plans to move the location of that sidewalk with a better line of sight. Dave states that he feels unsafe with his"heart in his mouth" as cars drive 45mph while he is attempting to cross with his granddaughter. c. Discussion of 2023 Commission schedule. Benevento states that he recently attended the City Council meeting to explain what the Parking and Traffic Commission does. Benevento wonders if holding some evening meetings would be appropriate to allow more members of the public to participate. Wynne states that the schedule can be flexible as the year goes on and she will send an Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission December 12,2022 Meeting Minutes Page 9 of 9 email to all Commissioners floating the idea. Wynne points out that an evening meeting is best for a timely topic, which is it is hard to know in advance. Wynne states that she has not printed a final 2023 schedule yet because she has a question about November. She states that Cahill prefers that commissions not hold meetings on holiday weeks like the Fourth of July and Labor Day. November 7, 2023 is Election Day, so Wynne asks the Commissioners if they would rather have that meeting on a Wednesday or push it to the following week. Wynne states that she tries to plan Commission meetings so they do not fall on the same day as the Planning Board meetings, since it is awkward to push through decisions. Binns Moves to adjourn. Kreyling seconds. Motion passes 6-0. Adiournment Meeting ends at 10:00 a.m. The next regular meeting of the Parking and Traffic Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, January 10, 2023.