2010-02-02
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION:
SUBCOMMITTEE:
LOCATION:
DATE:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Parking and Traffic Commission
MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDERS:
City Hall Conference Room B
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Chairman Richard Benevento, Bill Bent, Bill
Fiore, Richard Hutchinson, Tina Cassidy, Sgt.
Joe Shairs, Sheila Field
None
Councilor Judith Cronin, Ann Marton
Eileen Sacco
The meeting is called to order at 8:30 a.m.
1. Discussion and Recommendation - City Council Order #131 -
Prohibition of on-street parking on Haskell Street/ Councilor Judith
Cronin and Sgt. Shairs
Cassidy explains that Council Order #131 was submitted last year by Sgt. Shairs
requesting that parking be prohibited on Haskell Street. She explains that a site
visit was held and Bent did an analysis of the parking for the Commission.
Bent explains that he reviewed the design standards and the Mass Highway
design manual and notes that the minimum standard aisle width for on street
parking is 7 feet, although he would prefer to see 8 feet. He explains that the
minimum standard takes into consideration pedestrian flow, vehicle flow,
parking of vehicles and bikers. Bent explains the cross sections and states that
the area would support a 29 foot cross section (7 foot parking aisle, two 11' wide
travel lanes). He reviews the width of the street at various points and suggests
that parking should be prohibited on the entirety of the stretch that does not
meet that minimum width.
Benevento states that he agrees with Bent and there has to be consistency noting
that that corner is tough.
Cassidy states that she would rather see the Commission recommend a smaller
area be designated for no parking in the area where parking is now the most
difficult. This area doesn't appear to be an accident-prone stretch of road, so
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perhaps the Commission could suggest a smaller area for the no parking ban and
review traffic data over time to see if an extension of the "no parking" area is in
order.
Shairs states that he does not recall any accident data for the area. He notes that
the area of 24 Haskell Street is a problem with parking and he would like to see
parking prohibited along that stretch.
Councilor Cronin addresses the Commission and asks if any consideration has
been given to making it a one way. Benevento questions how that would affect
the traffic flow in the rest of the neighborhood. He explains that people will have
to go around the block to get home and they may not appreciate that.
Ann Marton addresses the Commission and explains that she questions whether
parking is allowed noting that parking is already restricted from Rezza Road to
Everett Street. Shairs states that he will check on that.
Cronin explains that she is looking for a solution that will address safety issues.
She states that she agrees that the residents in that area will be impacted by
prohibiting parking in a larger area. She suggests that she would like to see
partial no parking, along the lines of what Cassidy suggested, rather than a
sweeping change.
Cronin suggests that she will talk to the owner of 12 Haskell Street about the
parking situation on that stretch. She notes that the units are occupied by college
students and there are a lot of parties there. She explains that there are a small
number of people causing the problem and it may well be people who do not
even live on the street.
Marton suggests an area on the plan where parking could be allowed.
Bent states that he feels that the Commission has to stick to the parking
standards. He suggests that the Commission recommend to the City Council
that parking be eliminated on the south side of Haskell Street, between Rezza
Road and Hale Street.
Bent: motion to recommend to the City Council that parking be
eliminated on the south side of Haskell Street between Rezza Road
and Hale Street. Shairs seconds the motion. The motion carries (6-
1) with Cassidy opposed.
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2.
Discussion and Recommendation regarding Council Order #19 -
45 West Street - Name Change
Cassidy explains that Councilor Wes Slate submitted a copy of Council Order #19
which requests a name change for 45 West Street. She also notes that she thinks
that the Commission has received this informally so they would be aware of the
request.
Benevento suggested that the Commission should comment on the matter and
suggests that all legal requirements should be complied with regarding
notification to the post office, and that any and all requirements of the City
Engineer and other public safety officials be adhered to prior to authorizing the
change.
Cassidy will write a letter indicating that the matter was brought to the
Commission and suggesting the recommendations.
Bent:
motion that the Parking and Traffic Commission send a letter to the
City Council indicating that the Commission has no issues with the
request and outline its recommendations regarding the name
change for 45 West Street, seconded by Field. All members in
favor, the motion carries 7-0.
3.
Approval of minutes: January 5, 2009 Regular Meeting
Benevento asks if there are any corrections that need to be made to the 1-5-10
meeting minutes. There are none.
Bent: motion to approve the minutes of the Commission's January 5,2010
meeting as drafted, seconded by Field. All members in favor,
motion carries 6-0.
4. Discussion and Recommendation: Changes to On-Street Parking
Ordinance Relative to Parking on Elliott and Rantoul Streets at the new
CVS Location - Sgt. Shairs
Shairs addresses the Commission and explains that he would like to propose an
Ordinance change Chapter 14-120 (No Parking) "Prohibited on Certain Streets At
All Times". He explains that this request is submitted for the purpose of
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increasing traffic flow at the intersection of Rantoul Street and Elliott Street. The
request also includes a location on Cabot Street that has been an area of concern
for residents on Milton Street. He explains that the following changes are
suggested:
Add: Rantoul Street, west side, southerly, from a point 100 feet south of
driveway at
# 446 Rantoul Street to Elliott Street.
Add: Rantoul Street, west side, southerly between # 446 and # 474 (one space).
Add: Elliott Street, north side, westerly from Rantoul Street to the first driveway
entrance.
Add: Cabot Street, west side, southerly from driveway at # 182 Cabot Street to
Milton Street (one space).
Shairs:
motion that the Parking and Traffic Commission recommend to the
City Council an Ordinance change to Chapter 14-120, no parking
on certain streets at all time to include the following;
Add: Rantoul Street, west side, southerly, from a point 100 feet south of
driveway at
# 446 Rantoul Street to Elliott Street.
Add: Rantoul Street, west side, southerly between # 446 and # 474 (one space).
Add: Elliott Street, north side, westerly from Rantoul Street to the first driveway
entrance.
Add: Cabot Street, west side, southerly from driveway at # 182 Cabot Street to
Milton Street (one space).
Bent seconds the motion. All members in favor, the motion carries 6-0.
5. New or Other Business
a. On- Street Parking Changes in Vicinity of 176 Cabot Street
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February 2, 2010 Meeting
Shairs explains the owner of the building that formerly housed the Registry of
Motor Vehicles approached him to change the parking restrictions on the Cabot
Street side of the building. He states that he researched the ordinance and
recommends that a no parking here to corner sign be installed, and that meters
be installed in that area.
Field explains that there are possible tenants for the building that would require
quicker turnaround times for parking and suggests that 15 minute parking be
allowed. Shairs states that he would rather install meters in that area because
signage is harder to enforce.
Cassidy suggests that they try using signs allowing 15 minute parking and if
there is a problem with people parking longer than allowed then the city could
install meters. She recommends that signs be installed indicating that 15 minute
parking from 9-5 is allowed. Bent agrees that signs should be tried first.
Shairs:
motion that the Commission recommend an Ordinance Change -
Chapter 14-123 "15 Minute Par king" for the purpose of creating 15
Minute parking spaces on Cabot Street in front of the former
Registry of Motor Vehicles building (#182 Cabot Street) as follows:
Add: Cabot Street, west side, southerly from a point 30 feet south of Broadway to
the first driveway at # 182 Cabot Street (3 Spaces).
Fiore seconds the motion, all members in favor. The motion carries 6-0.
b. Election of Officers
Next on the agenda is the election of a Chairman and a Vice Chair for the
Commission. Cassidy suggests that the Commission consider giving her
secretarial authority for the Commission for the purpose of signing meeting
postings and similar ministerial actions.
Bent:
motion to nominate and appoint Rich Benevento as Chairman, Joe
Shairs as Vice-Chairman, and Tina Cassidy as secretary for the
Parking and Traffic Commission this year. Field seconds the
motion, all members in favor. The motion carries 6-0.
6. Webber and River Streets - Request for Recommendation regarding the
Building of an Island to Slow Traffic
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Shairs states that Ward 2 Councilor Wes Slate has floated the idea of building a
traffic island at the intersection of Webber and River Streets as a way to slow
traffic going down Webber. Benevento states that he would like more
information regarding the width of the road, turning radius, emergency access
and access for snow plows. Cassidy will send a letter to Councilor Slate
requesting more information.
7. Adjournment
Benevento asks if there is any other business for the Commission to discuss.
There is none.
Bent: motion to adjourn, seconded by Field. All members in favor, the motion
carries 6-0.
The meeting is adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
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February 2, 2010 Meeting