2014-04-08CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION:
Parking and Traffic Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
April 8, 2014
LOCATION:
Conference Room B, Third Floor City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Richard Benevento, Chair, Bill Bent, Vice Chair,
City Planner Aaron Clausen, Bill Fiore, Richard
Hutchinson, John Somes, Sgt. Russ Rollins
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
OTHERS PRESENT:
Sean Ciancarelli, Rob Dever, Councilor David
Lang, Councilor Estelle Rand,
RECORDER:
Eileen Sacco
1. Benevento calls the meeting to order at 8: 30 a.m.
2. Continued Recommendation to City Council: Order #37: Request for
Traffic Study at Hull Street and Essex Streets - Councilor Frates
Benevento stated that at the last meeting the PTC recommended that a scope of
work be determined for a traffic study of the area of Hull Street and Essex Street to
Grover.
Benevento suggested that the matter be referred back to the City Council with a
recommendation that the Engineering Department for a traffic study.
Sgt. Rollins reported that the Police Department has increased enforcement in the
area and noted that officers were pleased that not many people are exceeding the
speed limits.
Bent stated that it should also be mentioned that the Parking and Traffic
Commission has looked at this area on a couple of occasions. He also noted that in
addition to identifying what improvements could be made that a capital investment
would be required. He also noted that recommendations from the Parking and
Traffic Commission has made when this was looked at in the past.
Benevento estimated that the cost could be from $50,000 - $150,000 for geometric
improvements to the area.
Sgt, Rollins stated that it is important to note that the Parking and Traffic
Commission is a volunteer board of professionals and engineers but there are limits
as to what they can do.
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Benevento agreed noting that some things are fairly obvious and they can make a
recommendation and others are more detailed and require more of an official
recommendation from a licensed professional.
Benevento also questioned if the city has looked into the Safe Routes to School
Money. Clausen stated that they are in the process of looking into that for the
Centerville School. He stated that he would draft a letter to the City Council
suggesting that he matter be referred to the Engineering Department for a possible
traffic study.
3. Request from Ward 1 School Committee Member David Manzi Regarding Digital
Flashing Sneed Signs for Bridge Street
Sgt. Rollins suggested the installation of a School Zone sign designating a 20 mile per hour
speed limit when children are present.
Benevento noted that speed limits can be posted in School Zones without a Special Speed
permit.
Sgt. Rollins reported that the Police Department tends to do a lot of enforcement on Bridge
Street and noted that the speed limit is 30 miles per hour. He suggested that the radar sign
may help to calm it.
Benevento will send Rollins a picture of a suggested sign cluster that is used in Wakefield.
He explained that it is an appropriate sign that has approved MUTCD crossing signs and
suggested that it could be placed east and west bound on Bridge Street.
Lang states that Bridge and River Streets are hopefully included as part of the Elliott Street
redo.
Bent: Motion to recommend that a MUTCD approved sign assembly be installed on Bridge
Street in a location to be determined. Hutchinson seconded the motion. The motion
carried (7 -0).
4. Review /Discussion: Traffic Review /Monitoring Program Associated with the
Construction of Walgreens at 48 Dodge Street - Westwood Apple Orchards
Limited Partnership (Symes Associates)
Jeff Rhuda of Westwood Orchards Limited Partnership addressed the Parking and Traffic
Commission and stated that he is here this morning regarding condition #7 of the May 11,
2012 recommendation of the PTC to the Beverly Planning Board concerning the Walgreens
Pharmacy located at 48 Dodge Street which requires a review of the traffic operations at six
months after the issuance of an occupancy permit.
Rhuda explained the scope of work for the traffic monitoring program and noted that a
summary documenting if the project projections were accurate was submitted to the
Parking and Traffic Commission dated March 6, 2014.
Rhuda explained that the traffic monitoring plan included the following:
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• Obtain manual turning movement and vehicle classification counts for a two hour
period (4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.) and a three hour Saturday midday period (11:00 a.m.
- 2:00 p.m. at the following locations:
• Route 1A at Conant Street
• Route 1A at Shaws Plaza Driveway
• Route 1A at the Project Site Driveway and the Route 128 Westbound Off -ramp
• Conant Street at the Project Site Driveway
• Existing traffic volumes will be seasonally adjusted to average month conditions, if
necessary in accordance with Mass DOT requirements.
• Access volume to capacity ratios, level of service and vehicle queuing for existing
and future conditions at the study intersections based on the seasonally adjusted
traffic volume data collected. The traffic analysis was based on the existing street
system and any planned roadway improvements.
• Assess the volume of traffic as measured at the driveways serving Walgreens both
entering and exiting based on the level of occupancy at the time that the traffic
counts were completed.
Benevento congratulated Mr. Rhuda and noted that he appreciated the inclusion of the
Conant Street intersection at Henry's Market in the traffic study noting that it was not
included in the original traffic study. He also noted that they did improve the timing.
Rhuda explained that the lack of a no left turn sign at the northbound ramp is an issue,
noting that there is striping on the pavement but people are still trying to do it.
Bent suggested adding more time to the southbound lane may help.
Councilor Lang noted that the light at Henry's does not turn fast enough and causes the
traffic to queue up to the ramp.
Benevento suggested that the PTC work with Bill Ambrefe on the timing at the intersection.
Rhuda reported that the traffic projections for the Walgreens Pharmacy are well under
what they estimated during the planning of the project. He stated that if the City Council
wants to spend the money for a traffic study at Henry's Market he is open to that.
Bent states that the monitoring program as presenting in the documents provided gives the
PTC some data to work with and suggested if there is interest in a traffic study at Henry's
market the Commission can talk about it. He suggested that if a traffic study is to be done it
be done during a period of time when school is in session.
Benevento thanked Rhuda for attending the meeting and for reporting back to the
Commission.
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5. Discussion: March 27, 2014 Site Visit - Request for a Traffic Signal at 242
Elliot Street and Parking Along Woodland Avenue and Livingstone Avenue -
Councilor David Lang
Benevento reported that the Parking and Traffic Commission went out and visited the site
and looked at the parking on the south side of Woodlawn Avenue. He suggested that from
Garden up to Livingston should be restricted parking, noting that it would displace a few
spaces which could be accommodated by allowing parking on the other side of the street.
Bent states that the area is used as a cut through from Bridge Street and suggested that if
they are going to restrict parking there should be minimal standards.
Sgt. Rollins asked if there are students living on that street. Lang confirmed that there are
students living in the area and they park on Livingston.
Bent stated that it is obvious that something needs to be done.
Sgt. Rollins noted that school traffic is also an issue and agreed that people use that as a cut
through from Bridge Street.
Lang will meet with the neighbors for input from them regarding possible restricted
parking and report back to the Commission.
Hutchinson suggested that no parking signs could be installed on the south side all the way
up.
Lang suggests that there should be a 40 foot buffer zone going up on Woodlawn noting that
cars cue up to the School. Rollins suggested that it could be no parking here to corner.
Benevento requested an aerial map of the area so that the Parking and Traffic Commission
can pinpoint where the signs should be.
Benevento reported that Elliot Street needs a corridor study from Green Street to
McPherson Drive. He noted that timing and traffic patterns have changed since the
Cummings Center and the Stop and Shop were built and it has been 15 years so some timing
adjustments may be needed.
Bent noted that the heavy times are only for an 1 1 /z in the morning and in the afternoon. He
also noted that the trains need to be factored in, noting that he agrees that the entire
corridor should be studied.
Clausen suggested that perhaps the Cummings Center could stagger their traffic times by
adjusting release times.
Benevento noted that the 7 -11 light gets cycled when a car pulls into the parking lot. He
explained that there are video detection loops in the pavement and there may be some
things that they can do to tidy that up.
Clausen noted that it seems to be a short time span during peak hours.
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Lang stated that a major traffic study is not worth the cost, noting that he only got one
complaint about this.
Benevento suggests that the City Engineer could observe the signal operations and consider
a right turn only sign out of the parking lot. He also suggested that they should check the
detection to see if it is on lock.
Benevento suggested consulting with Steve Drohosky of the Cummings Center, noting that
their success is what is causing the problem.
Somes noted that businesses turn over at the Cummings Center and that has an affect as
well.
Councilor Rand suggested asking the Cummings Center what they do to encourage car
pooling, biking, use of public transportation and the possibility of providing shuttles to the
train station.
Benevento suggested inviting Steve Drohosky to the next meeting, noting that they are
under no obligation to make changes but the PTC would like to have a discussion and look
for ideas and start a dialogue. Benevento suggested inviting the City Electrician as well.
6. Discussion: Route 1A Project Status, Business Community Issues Regarding
Construction and Project Timeline
Clausen reported that they are working with the MA DOT to identify discretionary items for
the project. He explained that there are a number of items that they will not pay for noting
decorative lighting etc.
Benevento questioned why there are no detection devices on the plan. Clausen reported
that Ciancarelli is working on getting the answers on that.
Clausen reported that the city is working to get information out to the businesses and
residents to inform them on what is happening with the project.
Discussion Regarding Downtown Parking Lots and Off Street Parking Issues
Clausen reported that he is working with the Engineering Department to find a way to
manage the downtown parking and make it more easily accessible for customers. He stated
that they would like to simplify parking. He also explained that by the end of the summer
they want to recommend some parking changes for the area near the train station once the
garage is open.
Benevento suggested that there should be some way to direct people to where the parking
lots are.
Councilor Rand suggested that Main Streets did some signage and installed them but they
were not very effective.
Jane Darrah of Browns of Beverly addressed the PTC and expressed her concerns about
parking for tenants on Pond Street.
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Councilor Rand asked if they could look into an annual pass for residents to purchase for
parking in the lots.
Darrah noted that even the 12 hour lots are not helpful to the downtown tenants noting that
they used to be free. She also suggested that the parking fines should be lowered to $10.00
for violations to make the city more friendly.
Sgt. Rollins reported that he would advocate for off street lots to be adjusted for long term
parking but the on street parking should still be limited.
Clausen stated that they would be looking at a program for passes for employers and
residents. He stated that the elimination of the short term requirements would help in the
meantime.
Bent stated that there are ways to program the kiosks so that people can pay for the amount
of time that they want.
Benevento noted that fines and enforcement are meant to encourage people not to do it.
Bent noted that Beverly is not Boston and noted that the downtown has changed a lot since
the Registry left.
Benevento noted that parking fines are beyond the jurisdiction of the Parking and Traffic
Commission.
Darrah reported that three spots were removed on Pond Street and Chapman and then
three new ones reappeared. Benevento stated that Eric Barber and Sean Ciancarelli were
working on that.
Sgt. Rollins recalled that the changes were made in response to trash truck and fire access
and the Engineering Department took another look at it and reversed it noting that there
was a vote of the City Council on that.
Darrah also reported that that the parking signs around Lynch Park need to be enforced.
She noted that the signs are faded. Sgt. Rollins reported that the Police do get a lot of calls
regarding Evergreen and noted that it is really bad during beach season. He also noted that
there is no parking on Evergreen and noted that it is not the residents who are parking
there it is others who go to the beach.
7. Light at Bridge Street and River Streets
Benevento reported that the PTC has discussed this matter regularly and there was
a conversation with the MBTA regarding including this in the project and there is
nothing happening with it. He stressed that it needs to be designed. Sgt. Rollins
agreed and noted that the intersection was rated a failing intersection when the
studies for the project were done.
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7. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the PTC meeting held on March 4, 2014 were presented for approval.
Bent: motion to approve the minutes of the March 14, 3014 Parking and Traffic
Commission meetings as amended. Hutchinson seconded the motion. The motion
carried (7 -0).
9. Next Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Parking and Traffic Commission will be held on
Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 8:30 a.m.
10. Adjournment
Benevento asks if there is any additional business for the Commission to conduct.
There is none.
Bent: motion to adjourn, seconded by Hutchinson. All members in favor,
motion carries 7 -0.
The meeting is adjourned at 10:15 a.m.
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