2010-07-06
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, July 6,2010
Chairman Richard Benevento, Bill Bent, Tina
Cassidy, Richard Hutchinson, Sgt. Joe Shairs, Bill
Fiore
Sheila Field
Councilor Judith Cronin
Eileen Sacco
The meeting is called to order at 8:30 a.m.
1. Approval of Minutes: June 1, 2010
Benevento asks if there are any changes that need to be made to the minutes of the last
meeting. Cassidy notes that a quorum is not yet present (8:30 a.m.) so Benevento elects
to table this issue until later in the meeting.
Additional members arrive and a quorum is now present. Benevento asks again if
everyone has read the draft minutes and whether there are any changes that need to be
made to them.
Cassidy:
motion to approve the minutes of the June 1, 2010 Parking and Traffic
Commission meeting, seconded by Bent. All members in favor (5-0), the
motion carries.
2. Discussion: City Council Order #112: Review and recommendation to City
Council on current egress/access to Cole Street community gardens /
Councilor Judith Cronin
Councilor Cronin addresses the Commission and explains that neighbors have raised
concerns regarding the current egress/access to the Cole Street Community Gardens. She
notes that there is a blind corner and it is difficult to get through. She suggests that more
sight distance is needed for the driveway.
Benevento asks who determines where curb cuts can be installed. Cassidy notes that the
Engineering Department decides that.
Cronin explains that she is looking for a recommendation from the Commission as to
what might be a solution to the problem. She questions whether the access could be
moved to an area that is not as busy as the present location.
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Cassidy suggests that representatives from the Engineering Department and the Public
Services Department be invited to the next Commission meeting. Benevento agrees and
suggests that the Commission visit the site before the next meeting and members decide
to hold a site visit on July 23,2010 at 8:30 a.m.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter Benevento asks if
someone is prepared to make a motion.
Bent: motion to continue discussion on the issue of egress/access for the Cole Street
Community Gardens to the next Commission meeting on August 3, 2010, pending
a site visit by the members of the Commission on July 23, 2010 at 8:30 a.m.
Cassidy seconds the motion, all members in favor. The motion carries 5-0.
3. Discussion and recommendation to Planning Board: Modifications to Site
Plan Review application #40-98 and Special Permit application #123-10 /
Aero Mfg. on Sam Fonzo Drive
Peter Ogren of Hayes Engineering is present for the applicant.
Benevento reports that he visited the site and looked at the stakes that were set showing
the proposed driveway location. He asks if the existing hedges on the property are going
to be cut down. Ogren replies that they will be cut down and says they would accept a
condition that all of the weeds be cut down along the site's frontage.
Benevento notes that the driveway is on a curve of the road and if there was a concern
they would be asking for site distance calculations but he feels that everything is fine.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter Benevento asks if
someone is prepared to make a motion.
Cassidy:
motion to recommend approval of the proposed site plan subject to the
conditions that (a) the plant growth along the site's frontage west of the
proposed driveway location be removed and (b) landscaping be
accordance with local ordinances and that nothing higher than two (2) feet
in height at maturity shall be planted within 24" of the back edge of the
sidewalk. Shairs seconds the motion, all members are in favor. The
motion carries 5-0.
4. Discussion: Finalize letter regarding appropriate School Zone sign age and
potential crosswalk relocation at Centerville School; potential changes to on-
street parking regulations and discussion regarding policies on dismissal
procedures and drop-off and pick up locations with school business manager
/ Councilor Judith Cronin
Benevento reports that the Commission visited the site and looked at the crosswalk
locations, existing signage, and the parking on and off street in the area.
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July 6, 2010 Meeting
Cronin reports that she met with School Committee member Maria Decker and they
reached an agreement about signage and traffic patterns. Cronin also explains that there
was some discussion about limiting weekend parking in the area to address the parking
concerns. She notes that school drop off and pick up times are school department issues
but the installation of some signage might be a good first step toward addressing the
parking issues.
A resident of Hull Street addresses the Commission and requests that cones be placed at
the end of her driveway to prevent parked cars from blocking her driveway. Shairs
recommends that when that situation occurs she should call the police because that is a
violation of a city ordinance that requires five feet of clearance on either side of a
driveway.
Cronin notes that there are site distance problems as well and says she previously asked
Bruce Doig to distribute literature to sports organizations regarding parking in the school
parking lot versus on Hull Street.
Shairs notes that if cars start getting towed from the area the word will spread not to park
there.
Benevento explains the proposed signage for the area. He suggests that the crosswalk be
widened to a standard width as a short-term solution. He notes that there are not a lot of
good long-term solutions with respect to parking.
Cronin again notes that solving the signage issue would be a good first step and she can
work on the parking issues going forward.
Benevento suggests that the Commission send a letter recommending that signage be
installed and that the crosswalk be upgraded to standard crosswalk width with appropriate
handicap compliant access. He also notes that the weekend parking issues need to be
addressed by the Park and Recreation Department and that parking for events at Cahill
Park should be directed to park at the school.
Benevento suggests that the city could collect a fee from the sports teams and hire a park
ranger to direct parking.
Cassidy states that she will draft a letter with the Commission's recommendations.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Benevento asks if
someone is prepared to make a motion.
Bent:
motion to send a letter to the City Council recommending that signage be
installed as discussed and that the crosswalk be upgraded to standard
crosswalk width with appropriate handicap compliant access. Motion
seconded by Fiore, all members in favor. The motion carries (5-0).
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5. Discussion and recommendation to Planning Board: Comments re: OSRD
site plan/subdivision creating three new lots at 1 Lake Shore Avenue / One
Lake Shore Avenue Realty Trust
Attorney Thomas Alexander and Bob Griffin are present for the applicant.
Alexander addresses the Commission and explains that there are several plans that have
been suggested for the site, noting that one was for a nine lot subdivision and the current
proposal which proposes half the number of lots shown on the conventional plan.
Griffin addresses the Commission and explains the site plan, noting that 50% of the land
would be designated as open space and is next to Sally Milligan Park. He reviews that
plans and the locations of the driveways. He notes that there are a total of four lots
shown; three would contain new houses and one would contain the existing house.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter Benevento asks if
someone is prepared to make a motion.
Bent: motion to recommend approval of the plan as drafted to the Planning
Board. Cassidy seconds the motion, all members are in favor. The motion
carries 5-0.
6. Discussion: Posting of some or all of north side of Kathleen Drive as "no
parking" / citizen's request (Cassidy)
Cassidy reports that she has some information regarding how the neighbors feel about
this and the reaction is mixed. She requests more time to talk with the neighbors.
Bent: motion to table the matter, seconded by Fiore. All members in favor, the
motion carries 5-0.
7. Discussion: Schedule night meeting to discuss possible crosswalk installation
at Spring Street and Odell Avenue and on Hale Street as requested by area
residents / Councilor Hobin and Sgt. Shairs
Shairs explains the request and issues with people crossing to get to the train station and
the Hannah School and notes that the Public Services Department has only recently made
improvements to this intersection. Cassidy notes that there could be an issue with money
and whether or not the city wants to tear up what was just done in the area. She
recommends getting some information from the Mayor and the Department of Public
Services and if they agree the Commission could then consider this. Benevento agrees,
noting that he is not inclined to report this out without some input from the city.
Discussion was held regarding holding the August 3, 2010 meeting at 7:00 p.m. and the
Commission ultimately decides not to schedule an evening meeting yet. Cassidy will
send a letter to Councilor Hobin suggesting he consult with the Mayor and Collins before
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July 6, 2010 Meeting
pursuing the Odell/Spring St. crosswalk matter further, and Shairs will inquire as to
whether Hobin has canvassed the Hale Street neighborhood sufficiently to date to
schedule an evening meeting. If he has, the meeting will be held in the evening. If not, it
will be held at its regular morning time.
Bent: Motion that the Commission inform Councilor Hobin that it is generally in favor
of the concept of adding additional crosswalks to the Spring Street/Odell Avenue
intersection but recognizes that financial considerations and the fact that the City
has recently finished constructing sidewalk improvements in the area may
preclude consideration of further work in this location for the foreseeable future.
Therefore, the Commission respectfully recommends that the matter be discussed
with Mayor Scanlon and DPS Director Mike Collins. If it is determined that City
resources are available for this work, the Commission stands ready to assist the
City as needed to move the project forward. Shairs seconds the motion, all
members in favor. The motion carries 5-0.
8. Discussion: Replacement of existing "Lane Ends Merge Left" with "Lane
Ends Merge Right" on Elliott Street just west of McKay Street / Sgt. Shairs
Shairs explains the issue centers around the "warning" signage for westbound motorists
on Elliott Street regarding the upcoming lane merge. The existing signage incorrectly
instructs motorists traveling on Elliott Street to merge left. In fact, through traffic should
merge right, since the left lane is a turn lane that ends.
Bent agrees that it is not laid out well and should be restriped.
Hutchinson: motion to send a letter to DPS Director Mike Collins recommending that
the City consider replacing the existing sign at this location with one that
either reads "Merge Ahead" or "Lane Ends, Merge Right". Cassidy
seconds the motion, all members in favor. The motion carries (5-0).
9. Discussion and recommendation to City Council: Elimination of on-street
parking in front of 122 Water Street, opposite Jubilee Yacht Club / Sgt.
Shairs
Shairs explains that parking is technically permitted in front of 122 Water Street at the
moment. There are traffic conflicts and difficulty with turning vehicles when trucks and
boats try to enter or exit the Jubilee Yacht Club property and the space is in use.
Eliminating one on-street parking space would address the issue but would require an
ordinance change.
Bent: motion to recommend that the City Council amend the City Ordinances to
prohibit on-street parking in front of 122 Water Street, opposite the Jubilee Yacht
club. Cassidy seconds the motion, all members in favor. The motion carries 5-0.
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July 6, 2010 Meeting
10. Discussion and recommendation to City Council: Possible prohibition of on-
street parking on Laurel Street between Budleigh Avenue and Dodge Street /
Sgt. Shairs
Shairs explains his suggestion (to prohibit on-street parking on Laurel Street, between
Budleigh Avenue and Dodge Street). He explains the parking issues on the street
including the negative impact on-street parking can have on the double-lane setup on
Laurel Street.
Bent: Motion to recommend to the City Council that the City ordinances be amended to
prohibit on-street parking on Laurel Street between Budleigh Avenue and Dodge
Street. Motion seconded by Hutchinson, all members in favor. The motion
carries 5-0.
11. New or Other Business
Benevento notes that the green turn arrow on the traffic signal at Balch and Cabot is no
longer there. Shairs explains that the signal box was hit by a motor vehicle a month or so
ago and believes it was replaced with a temporary box only until a new one comes in.
12. Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Parking and Traffic Commission will be held on August 3, 2010
at 8:30 a.m.
13. Adjournment
Benevento asks if there is any other business for the Commission to conduct. There is
none.
Bent:
motion to adjourn, seconded by Fiore. All members in favor, the motion
carries 5-0.
The meeting is adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
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July 6, 2010 Meeting