Loading...
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. Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes May 14, 2008 Page 1 of7 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. Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes May 14, 2008 Page 2 of7 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. Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes May 14, 2008 Page 3 of7 - 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. Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes May 14, 2008 Page 4 of7 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. Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes May 14, 2008 Page 5 of7 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. Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes May 14, 2008 Page 6 of7 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. Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes May 14, 2008 Page 7 of7