PTC minutes_07.19.22 CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD: Parking and Traffic Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE: None
LOCATION: Virtual meeting
DATE: July 19, 2022
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Benevento (Chair), Darlene Wynne (Vice Chair), Michael
Collins, Jonathan Salt, George Binns, Richard Vincent, Capt.
Jacob Kreyling,John Lozada
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Sgt. Michael Henebury
OTHERS PRESENT: Rebecca Brown, Hannah Bowen
RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury
Benevento chairs and opens the meeting at 8:30 am.
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: Intersection Operations Assessment,Anchor Point—Sohier Road and
Herrick Street—SGOD 4011 District—Harborlight Community Partners
Rebecca Brown, GPI Traffic Consultants, represents the applicant and returns to the board with updates.
Addresses the improvement concerns from the June 6, 2022 meeting. The cost of the improvements are
just under$35,000. Brown confirms there was already$13,000 satisfied prior to the additional
improvements. She presents mainly camera additions, sidewalk improvements, sign replacement, etc.
Benevento asks for clarification for the short-term vs long-term improvements. Short-term
improvements include sidewalks with encroachments, restriping crosswalks, intersection signs, lane
narrowing on the roadway.
DPS Commissioner Mike Collins finds the presented solution simple and elegant. At the intersection
current detection is functional; however, Collins prefers updated cameras. John Lozada reviews ADA
concerns. George Binns would like more detail on exactly what the affordability is, the tradeoff between
critical repairs and the priorities of repairs. Members do not want safety sacrificed for convenience and
budget. Collins reviews what currently has been repaired, noting the camera improvements would be
better, however the current repairs are sufficient.
Richard Vincent discusses the preliminary cost of improvements. Denotes the $41,000 cost would be the
responsibility of the City. Collins notes the value of the sketch solution is valuable to the city. Vincent
proposes to allow the project to make their short-term improvements since current repairs are
adequate. Chairman Rich Benevento concurs and discusses with Collins. Collins notes for future if the
sidewalk is completed later, it is not a deterrent to the project. The sketch is what's most important. As
long as the city has it, they can return to those additional improvements.
Binns notes the sidewalks are the main concern for improvements. Does this affect the COI?Vice Chair
Darlene Wynne notes they are in the first phase. Members continue discussing the cost differences in
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relation to what is proposed and what already is complete. Members discuss the cost differences
ranging between $31,000.00, $34,000.00, and $41,000.00.
There being no further comments or concerns. Members vote to continue to the next meeting.
2. Recommendation to Planning Board: Site Plan Review#154-22-218-224 Cabot Street and 18
Federal Street—Leggat McCall Properties LLC
Miranda Siemasko, Glovsky Councilors At Law, presents on behalf of the applicant. The project includes
signification renovations to the existing building as well as a new building in the rear of the site. This is a
mixed-use building. The project is a by-right project staying within the 55-height limit; no additional
relief required.
Thad Siemasko, SV Designs, presents the project design to the board. The two-story building will be
maintained on the Cabot Street front fagade and the one-story portion in the rear will be razed. The
undeveloped parking lot will be turned into a garage with the residential units in a building above.The
curbing on Federal Street will be restored. T. Siemasko details the mix of uses, including storefronts and
residential service areas; he confirms 153 parking spaces and 113 apartments. He details 16 charging
stations for EVs.They are looking to design for LEED standards. Streetscape looking down Cabot is
minimized after the 1 story raised to 2 levels. Siemasko would like to clean up the Cabot Street historic
fagade. Main entries are recessed for the tenants.
Bill Gauze reviews the traffic study. Discusses flow onto Chapman Street, bike racks, EV parking stations,
trash pickup, and confirms the on-street parking on Federal St will remain. Benevento brings up the
public parking issues in the downtown area. He asks what is the plan to accommodate replacement for
the public parking? M. Siemasko notes this is private property despite the public use of the lot. The
applicant is actively working with the city to find a solution for the loss of public parking. M. Siemasko
confirms she is not currently at liberty to say what the discussions are determining. All options are being
reviewed. Benevento reiterates that public parking is being taken away on top of additional parking
demands by the development which significantly impacts the area. Wynne discusses how the City is
looking to address the parking needs, including applying for a grant to conduct a parking supply study
for the downtown. Benevento notes there are many variables to consider. He appreciates the steps
being taken to review the demand in the area and that the lot is private property. Benevento brings
attention to not only the public parking loss but also asks about snow removal. Was excess snow stored
there by the city?There are issues like that to consider in addition to parking. Lozada discusses ADA
issues. He notes there are currently 2 ADA spaces along Cabot Street for public use.
Vincent asks about the mixed-use capacity and the delivery impacts for restaurants and residents. M.
Siemasko does not anticipate much delivery use by the residents. Vincent compares other recently
developed mixed-use buildings with issues balancing deliveries to businesses and residents. Benevento
notes that a project on Rantoul Street has early deliveries permitted between 7-9 am and has created
some issues with abutters. Members discuss the growth of Cabot and Rantoul Streets and the impact on
commuters. Members would like to have a determined plan that the parking will work out. From a
Chamber of Commerce perspective, Vincent discusses the loss of public parking and the impact of other
area businesses, the Larcom and Cabot theaters, restaurants, etc. Members acknowledge the building is
allowed by right but losing the lot will affect Cabot Street businesses who depend on it for patron
parking.
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Salt discusses bike parking and sustainability. Appreciates the number of bike parking spaces matches
the parking per the building allotment, however; he encourages the developers to speak to Erina Keefe,
Sustainability Director; and confirm they need the proposed amount of bike parking spaces. Salt points
out the bike rooms in other large mixed-use buildings have been commandeered for purposes other
than their intended use. The use has evolved into storage for other items such as baby strollers and
additional storage, etc. Salt suggests instead of bike storage rooms to review the MBTA bike cages.
Capt. Kreyling discusses the storage and egress units where the potential overflow will impede
emergency services. Binns inquires if the EV stations are resident only, Gauze responds they are
available to the public. It is confirmed the EV charging stations will have the proper fire detection
materials.
Wynne points out the prior parking study showed there was an excess of parking yet presently seems to
be decreased parking availability. The parking plan will be re-examined. Brown states the public demand
for parking will decrease since the retail and restaurant space downsized. She discusses the net change
to the existing parking area going over the 2017 parking study by the city. The other public lots and
spaces should not be impacted by demand increase. The surrounding shared spaces will be able to
accommodate the parking demand. Skeptical members counterpoint the trips needed for the public to
find available parking spaces in a dense downtown area. If there is a surplus of parking, where is it and
how do they plan to direct people to it. Members bring up the patron max capacity during simultaneous
downtown events and the struggle for parking. Benevento notes this is a bigger problem of the city to
accommodate shared spaces for full patron capacity.
Collins left the meeting 9:52 am.
Brown continues on to discuss traffic flow in the area encompassing Wallis, Federal, Rantoul, Hale,
Abbott, West Dane, Dane, Cabot, Pond, Church Streets and Broadway. Pedestrian crashes are highest at
the intersections of Cabot/Church Streets; and West Dane/Dane/Cabot Streets. Discusses site lines on
Federal/Chapman/Cabot Streets. Pedestrian visibility should not be an issue nor should turning radius
onto main thoroughfares and neighboring streets. Discusses residential trip impact. Benevento inquires
what exactly is below 1, because anything above .85 is a problem for traffic operations and trip
congestion.
Traffic mitigation consists of resurfacing curb to curb roadway in the area, particularly Federal Street.
Restriping sidewalks; reconstructing sidewalks along Cabot, Federal; Bow and Chapman Streets.
Ensuring ADA compliance and updates. Looking at future plans for bus stop in front of City Hall, the
project is willing to improve some of the southern Cabot Street traffic reconstruction areas.
Lozada discusses ADA concerns. Capt. Kreyling discusses fire access with longer traffic times. Is this
project adding call time to downtown areas.They cannot swing onto Chapman Street with the ladder
truck. Once the egress for parking onto Chapman is completed, what if the residents decide to exit onto
Federal Street. What is the impact of flow onto the one-way streets.
Benevento would like an independent peer review for this project due to the magnitude of the project
scale and downtown impact. M. Siemasko rebuts the necessity for a peer review noting the impact
when completed is minimal. Members are firm in their decision for a peer review.
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There being no further comments or concerns. Continued to the next meeting.
Motion: Binns moves to continue to the next meeting. Salt seconds. The motion carries 8-0.
3. Recommendation to City Council: Order#181—Proposed amendments to Chapter 270 of the
City Ordinances relative to parking regulations at various locations in the City—City of Beverly
Benevento discusses the proposed changes to the ordinance with a letter from the President of City
Council. Proposed changes for downtown and Beverly Commons review parking enforcement in the
area. They discuss the public hearing where paid kiosks were added. Benevento confirms no spaces are
eliminated with this amendment. Members review the bridge area and balances out the expectations
with the marina development area for Mission Boathouse patron use and traffic. Review the marina lot,
charging prices, stickers, etc. Meter rates are increased from $0.25 to $1.00.
Benevento asks what the process for approved parking stickers for the downtown Cabot Street area.
The process is explained by Jesse Dole, Assistant City Solicitor. Members ask how the process is going. It
is noted there is a lack of enforcement. Members discuss the Cox Court area and parking Summit
Avenue west side where there is technically no parking. Sgt. Henebury has reviewed these areas and
supplied information to City Council members in order to amend the ordinance, as well as collaboration
with the Engineering Department and the mayor's office. Wynne confirms Essex County Greenbelt
Association is interested in the parking availability at Greenwood Avenue and Stoneridge Road, which is
one of the areas slated to have a reduction in public parking. Discuss additional parking for parks and
trails.
Members discuss the EV chargers. Capt. Kreyling has an electric vehicle and discusses the mitigation
methods for those patrons who plan to use the EV charging stations. As long as the vehicle is charging
and plugged in the pay that rate, as soon as the vehicle is charged the meter automatically switches to a
high imposed fine to deter improper usage and parking.
Nancy Marino member of the public, Goat hill resident
Discusses the issues parking along Congress Street. She expresses concern with the overflow of The
Anchor and other lower Cabot Street businesses. With outdoor dining The Anchor eliminated parking
spaces and added 90 seats. Residents are overwhelmed with the overflow. The residents would like
consideration for their neighborhood as a result of local restaurants expanding including new
developments(Mission Boathouse).The true overflow parking engulfs Goat Hill.
Dan Finn, Member of the public, Fish Flake resident
Very upset with the overflow traffic in the area and recommends single family homes and apartments
should have no parking in front of those residences. Residents prefer a proactive approach since they
are all upset with the overflow. They have no spaces for their homes. The added traffic in the area is
overwhelming. Also mentions the recreational boating parking. This guy would like to find some
compromise and assistance to the parking overflow.
Benevento notes there needs to be another traffic study to review the contentious areas of Goat Hill,
Summer/Water/Front Streets as the impact of the new restaurant is a work in progress.
Motion: Vincent recommend the adoption of the Ordinance as presented with the following
recommendations:to amend the parking in the EV zone; that the fine be increased to
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$50.00 for EV vehicles not charging; changing metered lots from $0.25 to $0.50. Binns
seconds.The motion carries 7-0.
John Lozada left the meeting.
Wynne asks members if they would like to keep the scheduled August meeting. Benevento would like
the independent peer review for the proposed Site Plan #154-22- 218-224 Cabot Street and 18 Federal
Street ideally for the September meeting. Members state there have been increased issues with parking
there should be more public involvement and hearing back from the public on these issues.
Communication with the public is lacking. Members point out the issues with MassDOT closing the Hall
Whitaker bridge. It should not be incumbent upon the city to deal with the overflow and detour issues.
Members would like mitigation plans from MassDOT and increased public involvement from the
residents affected.
4. Approval of Minutes:June 7, 2022
To be reviewed at the next meeting.
S. Adjournment
Motion: Binns moves to adjourn. Salt seconds. The motion carries 6-0.
Meeting adjourned 11:19 a.m.
Next meeting scheduled for 8.03.22.