Loading...
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. Parking & Traffic Commission minutes April 8, 2014 Meeting Page 1 of 7 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: Parking & Traffic Commission minutes April 8, 2014 Meeting Page 2 of 7 • 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. Parking & Traffic Commission minutes April 8, 2014 Meeting Page 3of7 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. Parking & Traffic Commission minutes April 8, 2014 Meeting Page 4of7 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. Parking & Traffic Commission minutes April 8, 2014 Meeting Page 5 of 7 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. Parking & Traffic Commission minutes April 8, 2014 Meeting Page 6 of 7 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. Parking & Traffic Commission minutes April 8, 2014 Meeting Page 7 of 7