2008-05-14
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Date:
Board:
Location:
Members Present
May 14, 2008
Parking and Traffic Commission
Beverly City Hall
Joseph Shairs, Wayne Francis, Susan Mueller, Richard
Benevento, Tina Cassidy
Richard Hutchinson
City Councillor Wes Slate, Mike Collins
Eileen Sacco
Members Absent:
Others Present
Recorder:
Shairs called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
Beverlv Citv Council Order 41- Amendin2 an Ordinance to Isolated Stop Si2ns
Benevento reviewed Council Order 41 which is an amendment to an ordinance entitled
Obedience to Isolated Stop signs that Section 14-86 of the Revised Ordinance of the City
of Beverly be amended to add Matthies Street, northeast and southwestbound drivers on
Matthies Street at Pearson Street, Sturtevant, Northeast and southwestbound drivers on
Sturtevant Street at Pearson Street.
Benevento stated that he did not think that the Parking and Traffic Commission could
support the request for a four way stop at Matthies and Sturtevant based on the
requirements of the Massachusetts Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
Cassidy agreed noting that the Police Department in tandem with the Parking and Traffic
Commission conducted a review of the area.
Mike Collins noted that there is a council order calling for comprehensive traffic study.
Cassidy also noted that she felt that the recommendation should be that based on the
review and the Massachusetts MUTCD rules that neither location meets the warrant
requirements and the Parking and Traffic Commission does not recommend that four way
stop signs be installed at these locations.
Mike Collins noted that he has been trying to get the City Councillors to ask for solutions
for problem areas rather than make recommendations. He explained the steps that his
department takes to ensure compliance.
Benevento suggested that the Parking and Traffic Commission should further recommend
that the stop signs for these locations be relocated in accordance with MUTCD
regulations.
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Sgt. Shairs stated that he does not think that the Parking and Traffic Commission should
be reviewing locations for stop signs unless there is an ordinance change.
Beverlv Citv Council Order #65 - Ordinance MV T relative to No Parkin2
Benevento reviewed Council Order 65 regarding Ordinance MV T relative to No Parking
- Be it Ordained by the Beverly City Council that Section 14 86 Obedience to Isolated
Stop Signs of the City of Beverly be amended as follows:
ADD Goodyear St northeast bound drivers on Goodyear St at Pearson St
Goodyear St northbound drivers on Goodyear Street at Glidden St - Refer to Legal
Affairs and Parking and Traffic Commission.
Sgt. Shairs reported that he looked at this and he thinks that Councillor Burke was
attempting to slow traffic, however a stop sign should not be used for that purpose.
Cassidy moved that based on the recommendation ofMUTCD as well as a study
conducted by the police department, the Parking and Traffic Commission does not
recommend that stop signs be installed at Goodyear St northeast bound drivers on
Goodyear St at Pearson St and Goodyear St northbound drivers on Goodyear Street at
Glidden St. Shairs seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Continued Discussion and Written Recommendation to Citv Council on Analvsis of
Shin21eville Traffic Review - Beverlv Citv Council Order 78 Re2ardin2 a
Comorehensive Traffic Studv of the Shin21eville Area
Shairs reported that a neighborhood meeting was held with Chief Ray regarding the
Shingleville traffic review.
The Parking and Traffic Commission reviewed the following recommendations from the
police department regarding this:
In order to enhance safety within the neighborhood the Commission supports the
following recommendations:
1. Reduce the bituminous curb radius located along the easterly corner of the
Goodyear Street at Echo Avenue intersection in order to tighten the intersection
pavement and create a more defined entrance to Echo Avenue.
2. Replace all stop signs that do not conform to the current MUTCD standards for
reflectivity, size and location. STOP signs shall be 30"X30" with high intensity
prismatic or diamond grade sheeting and mounted on break-away posts. Repaint
all STOP lines.
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3. Based on the warrant criteria stated in the Massachusetts Standard Municipal
Traffic Code and MUTCD multi-way stops are not warranted. Accordingly, the
Commission does not support multi-way stops at any of the intersections within
the Shingleville neighborhood.
Cassidy moved to approve the recommendations of the Police Department regarding this,
seconded by Shairs. The motion carried.
Recommendation to the Plannin2: Board on the Site Plan Review Application -363-
399 and 380 Rantoul Street
Cassidy reviewed the site plan for the former Kelley Infiniti property. She noted that the
developer in proposing to demolish the existing building and construct a residential
building with 32 units. She reviewed the parking criteria for residential projects and
noted that they are proposing 46 parking spaces including 2 handicapped spaces. She
noted that there will be a mix of 1 and 2 bedroom units.
Benevento suggested that the Commission recommend approval of the proposed parking
with the recommendation that the spaces in the Southeast corner of the building be
painted and cannot be a raised island.
Cassidy moved to approve the parking for 363-399 and 380 Rantoul Street be approved
as presented with the condition that the spaces in the southeast corner of the building not
have a raised island. Said area could be painted or scored with flush concrete. Shairs
seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Shairs expressed concern about potential parking issues at night for the local businesses.
Benevento noted that they are meeting the local requirements for parking and there is
nothing that the Parking and Traffic Commission can do. Mike Collins suggested
looking at the possibility of an ordinance change to have no parking overnight in that
section ofRantoul Street.
Citv Council Order 105 - Ordinance MV & T - Parkin2: in the area of Beverlv
Market - 206 Cabot Street
Benevento recalled that the Parking and Traffic Commission reviewed this matter at the
last meeting.
Cassidy moved to approve the recommendations of the Police Department for 206 Cabot
Street as follows:
1. That the request to eliminate the loading zone ( one space) on the Cabot Street
southbound in front of the store be changed to 15 minute parking and include a
time frame of8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. He suggested that the time frame (8:00 a.m.
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- 5:00 p.m., be included for the change in the existing 15 minute parking on
Cabot at Wallis Street as well.
2. That the on the Bow Street south side of the building westbound have a sign
posted "No Parking Here to Corner", and add 30 minute parking (8:00 a.m. -
5:00 p.m. for the next 108 feet westbound on Bow Street, south side which would
be six eighteen foot spaces.
3. Adding "Loading Zone" on Bow Street, south side, westbound for the remaining
40 feet on Bow Street, next to the market Loading Zone (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. to
begin at the last 20 minute spot and continue westerly to the first curb cut.
Cassidy moved to approve the recommendation for 206 Cabot Street. Shairs seconded
the motion. The motion carried.
Beverlv Citv Council Order 111- Comprehensive Traffic Studv of the Con2ress
Street Area
Benevento reviewed City Council Order III that the Parking and Traffic Commission
undertake a comprehensive traffic study of the Congress Street area around the "Ventron"
property, in connection with the planned condominium project at that location.
Councillor Slate recalled that the area has been looked at considerably and noted that the
request was made following a walk of the area held last fall and a recommendation was
made of what could be done.
Benevento noted that a traffic study was done on the area as well as a peer review of the
traffic study. He reviewed the process that takes place when a traffic study is
conducted.
Councillor Slate stated that what he was looking for was for the Parking and Traffic
Commission to take the traffic study and the peer review as well as recommendations that
were made on the site walk and make a recommendation on what could be done in that
area if the planned development goes forward. He noted that there is $30,000 in
mitigation money is available.
Councillor Slate explained that he may have worded the request in the council order
incorrectly, noting that his intention was not to have a comprehensive traffic study. He
stated that he simply wants to know what the Parking and Traffic Commission thinks
could be done in the area based on the information that is already available.
Cassidy cautioned the Commission noting that she is not a traffic expert, although some
members are and some are not and questioned whether the Parking and Traffic
Commission wanted to start reviewing traffic studies.
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Benevento noted that the recommendation would be based on concerns that the Parking
and Traffic Commission might have about the recommendations in the study. He also
noted that there should be a process for referring matters to the Parking and Traffic
Commission.
Cassidy suggested that the Parking and Traffic Commission could help formulate
language to make things clearer.
Councillor Slate noted that there are some rumors out there about the fate of the Ventron
project and suggested that the Commission hold off on this until such time as the project
progresses. He stated that he would put the council order on hold.
Sgt. Shairs moved to continue the matter of Council Order III until the June meeting of
the Parking and Traffic Commission. Francis seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Beverlv Citv Council Order 126 - ReQuest for Parkin2 and Traffic Commission to
Conduct a Comprehensive Traffic Studv of Winter/Essex/Knowlton/Dane Streets
Benevento reviewed City Council Order 126 regarding a request for the Parking and
Traffic Commission to conduct a comprehensive traffic study for Winter/ Essex /
Knowlton / and Dane Streets.
Cassidy noted that Monssorette College of Art is going to demolish a house and will be
constructing modular units for dorm rooms.
Councillor Slate expressed his concerns and suggested that Monsorette should have to do
some traffic study work as part of their project. He stated he would like to see a traffic
management plan.
Francis noted that the Fire Department has not seen any plans for this project yet.
Cassidy suggested that they be invited to the next meeting to talk about the impacts of
traffic and parking for the short and long term.
Beverlv Citv Council Order 62 - Re2ardin2 a Slow Children Si2n at Cross Lane
Soccer Field
Benevento review council order 62 regarding a slow children sign at the Cross Lane
soccer field. Sgt. Shairs noted that the Department of Public Works is recommending a
standard MUTCD playground sign.
Sgt. Shairs moved to recommend a standard MUTCD playground sign, W15-1 in
advance of the parking lot for the Cross Lane soccer field location. Francis seconded the
motion. The motion carried.
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Beverlv Citv Council Order 66- No Parkin2: on Portion of Cabot Street near Balch
Street PlaV2:round
Benevento review council order 66 regarding a request for no parking on a portion of
Cabot Street near the Balch Street playground.
Sgt. Shairs explained that the order is the result of complaints that Councillor Burke
received about the parking of commercial vehicles in that area overnight. He explained
that he investigated the matter and it has been resolved and recommended that the
Parking and Traffic Commission take no action on this matter. He explained that he is
basing this recommendation on the residential character of the neighborhood and the
recent enforcement action by the Police Department has resulted in solving the problem
of the overnight parking of commercial vehicles.
Cassidy moved that the Parking and Traffic Commission take no action on Council Order
66 based on the recommendation of the Police Department that the issue that resulted in
the council order has been resolved. Francis seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Discussion on Appropriateness of a Three Wav STOP Si2:n at the Intersection of
Putnam and Walnut Streets
Sgt. Shairs reported that the request is the result of one complaint from a constituent to
Councillor Martin. He recommended that the Parking and Traffic Commission take no
action at this time.
Discussion on the Parkin2: and Traffic Commission's Role with Respect to
Crosswalks
Cassidy explained that there are 9 crosswalks on Cabot Street between the Registry of
Motor Vehicles and ?? and Mike Collins has recommended eliminating some of them and
she wants to see what role the Parking and Traffic Commission wants to have with
regards to that.
Mike Collins explained his plan to reorganize the crosswalks in that section of Cabot
Street, noting that it is not practical to have so many crosswalks. Benevento suggested
that the Parking and Traffic Commission hold a site walk with Mike Collins to review the
crosswalks and his plan to reorganize them.
Cassidy suggested that if there is a council order on the matter the Parking and Traffic
Commission could review it and make comments, otherwise the PTC should take no
action.
A site walk to review the crosswalks will be scheduled.
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Discussion on Line of Si2:ht Issues at Bovle Street / Brook Head Avenue Intersection
Sgt. Shairs reported that he looked at this and explained that the residents have requested
a mirror be installed. Mike Collins noted that he does not install mirrors. He
recommended that they talk to the neighbors again and see if another solution can be
found.
Benevento suggested that the Parking and Traffic Commission take no action at this time.
There being no further business to come before the Parking and Traffic Commission at
this time, Hutchinson moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Shairs. The motion
carried.
The meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
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