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2004-07-14 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: Parking and Traffic Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: July 14, 2004 LOCATION: Third Floor Conference Room, City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Dennis Tarsook, Clark Mitchell, Bob Mead, Tina Cassidy MEMBERS ABSENT: Sue Mueller OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Tina Cassidy Cassidy calls the meeting to order and explains that the purpose of today’s meeting is to review two site plan review applications that have been submitted to the Planning Board. The first application is for a modification to a previously approved site plan for the Commodore Plaza. Michael Lawlor and Atty. Tom Alexander are present representing the bank. Alexander explains that the modification seeks permission to site a drive-through ATM machine on one of the islands in the parking lot of the plaza. Alexander explains the existing and future traffic flow and details of the site plan. The ATM will be located approximately 250’ from the Enon Street entrance to the parking lot, and should not interfere with traffic flows or safety. Tarsook states that he has no questions on the petition, and likes the orientation of the ATM which discourages motorists entering the site from the east from using the machine, and instead encourages vehicular approach to the ATM from the west. There are no other issues or questions from the Commission members, so the Committee elects to recommend to the Planning Board that the site plan be approved. Next on the agenda is a site plan for construction at Beverly Hospital. The project includes: ?? Construction of a new four level, 120,000 sq. ft. parking garage containing approximately 400 parking spaces ?? Several additions to the existing hospital to enlarge the emergency room facilities, radiology and operating room departments ?? Vertical addition to the Women’s Health Center. Other improvements will also be done to the site including revised access drives, new landscaping and drop-off areas, and the construction of a covered pedestrian walkway between the entrance to the hospital and the new parking garage. Dick Doherty from Hancock Associates explains that the net increase in the number of parking spaces is actually about 219 spaces. Mead asks how many handicapped parking spaces will be provided on site; the exact number is not readily available, so Doherty promises to forward that information to the Planning Department before the Planning Board meeting next week. The applicants note that the project is expected to add 50-60 vehicles to the site after construction of the improvements shown on the site plan. Tarsook notes that the intersection of Herrick and Sohier Roads needs to be upgraded. The lights need to be replaced, and the intersection could easily be reconfigured to add turn lanes to ease certain traffic movements. Since the hospital is one of the main contributors to traffic in the intersection, they should consider participating in improving the intersection. Tarsook asks about the size of parking spaces in the proposed garage. Doherty states that the spaces are designed to be 8 ½’ wide by 18’ long. Cassidy explains that the minimum dimensions allowed by zoning is 9’ wide by 18’ long. Either the spaces will have to be redesigned, or a variance obtained from the Zoning Board of Appeals to permit the smaller dimensions. Tarsook asks how wide the travel aisles are in the garage; Doherty answers they are 24’ wide and designed to accommodate two-way traffic. Doherty explains that the garage will be equipped with a fire suppression system. Mitchell states that the Fire Department will want to ensure that they can gain access to all sides of the new garage, and to do so must be able to maneuver a fire truck under the canopy of the proposed walkway between the garage and the hospital. He asks what the clearance under the canopy will be; the applicants respond that they have left that detail undetermined, and will set the clearance at whatever minimum height Mitchell requests. Mitchell promises to check the minimum height needed, and convey the information to the applicant shortly. Cassidy asks if there are any other questions from members of the Commission. There are none. Following a brief discussion, the Commission elects to recommend to the Planning Board that the proposed site plan be approved, subject to the following conditions: 1. That the minimum clearance between the sidewalk and the bottom of the roof structure sheltering the pedestrian walkway be at least thirteen feet (13’) to enable fire apparatus to travel beneath it to access all sides of the proposed garage (see note below); 2. That the supports for the pedestrian walkway structure be spaced a minimum of eighteen feet (18’) apart to provide enough room for fire apparatus to travel between them to access all sides of the proposed garage (see note below); and 3. That the applicant work with the City to investigate potential improvements to the turning lane configuration and traffic lights at the intersection of Herrick and Sohier Roads to better accommodate traffic to and from the hospital. NOTE: The specific figures of 13’ and 18’ referenced in conditions #1 and #2 above were determined by Clark Mitchell after the meeting was adjourned. There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.