Loading...
2014-05-06CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: Parking and Traffic Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: May 6, 2 01 LOCATION: Conference Room B, Third Floor City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Benevento, Chair, City Planner Aaron Clausen, Bill Fiore, Richard Hutchinson, John Somes, Sgt. Russ Rollins MEMBERS ABSENT: Bill Bent OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor Michael Cahill, Councilor David Lang, Councilor Estelle Rand, RECORDER: Eileen Sacco 1. Benevento calls the meeting to order at S: 45 a.m 2. Continued Discussion: March 27 2014 Site Visit - Re for a Traffic Signal at 242 Elliot Street and Parking Along Woodland Avenue and Livingstone Avenue - Councilor David Lang Benevento recalled that the PTC members did a site visit to the area and observed the traffic in the area of the intersection of woodlawn and Livingston. He noted that the PTC measured the street Lang explained that he has received complaints from the neighbors and suggested that there is limited visibility at the intersection and thought that if we could get some cars off Livingston it would increase visibility. He also noted that cars park right to the corner around 9 and 11 woodlawn and he suggested a parking ban but the neighbors were not supportive of it. Clausen noted that the PTC talked about restricting parking on the east side of the street and allow parking on the west side. Sgt. Rollins stated that he could put a request in for no parking here to corner signs. He noted that this was the second site visit in recent history noting that the neighbors had requested a four way stop at Livingston. He explained that the street has always been a cut through from Salem out to Elliot Street. He stated that there are a lot of issues noting that the speed limit is 30 miles per hour. He suggested a speed study be done and it should include Kernwood Heights, Woodlawn and Livingston. Benevento stated that a traffic study could result in an increase in speed limits based on what speed cars are safely travelling at. Rollins stated that he felt that the average speed would be less than 30 miles per hour, noting that he would love to see if reduced by S. Parking & Traffic Commission minutes May 6, 2014 Meeting Page 1 of 4 Clausen stated that Mayor Cahill has expressed concern about cut throughs noting that it would require a traffic study when funding is available. Jan Reidy addressed the PTC and noted that the rooming house has off street parking that the choose not to use. She noted that the neighborhood is dense and some of the houses do not have driveways. She also noted that she believes that the cars parked on the street calm the traffic down and it also makes it safer to walk to school. Reidy also suggested that it would be helpful to paint the crosswalks. Clausen reported that all lines and striping will be repainted this year. Ms. Reidy requested that they paint the crosswalk with additional treatments so they stand out. Benevento stated that he would not recommend another crosswalk in the area because of the site distance. Sgt. Rollins stated that he would like it to be a school zone, and explained the criteria has to do with the building footprint and the regulations are very specific noting that the PTC has looked at this before. Sgt. Rollins stated that once the speed study is done and the speed limit is determined they can put up speed limit signs. Benevento suggested that for now they could improve the visibility by installing "no parking here to corner" signs and repaint the crosswalks. Councilor Rand addressed the PTC and suggested contacting the landlord and have him give an information sheet regarding parking to his tenants. She also suggested that the schools should be encouraged to look at Safe walk Routes noting that Walk to School Day is May 21, 2014. Clausen reported that the city is applying for Safe Routes to Schools money this year. Benevento recalled that the PTC met with Beverly School officials last year to talk about parking and traffic issues at the schools Lang noted that the tenants at 9 -11 Woodlawn are parking on the street and not using the parking that is onsite. Benevento stated that if it is not a legal rooming house that is another issue, noting that zoning allows no more than three unrelated people living in a house. Mayor Cahill stated that it sounds like the city should have a conversation with the landlord regarding how many units are in there and how many tenants live there. He also suggested that he should cooperate with the parking issues and have the next group of tenants use the parking on site. Sgt. Rollins noted that the traffic is reduced in that area in the summer when school is not in session. He also noted that parking on the street is good for pedestrians and traffic calming. Sgt. Rollins suggested that restricting parking 20 feet from the corner and repainting the crosswalk and new signage as well as improvements to the sidewalks would help this Parking & Traffic Commission minutes May d, 2014 Meeting Page 2 of 4 problem. He suggested a straight G curb would be helpful to prevent people from parking with two wheels up on the sidewalk. Mayor Cahill thanked Benevento and the PTC members for their service on the Parking and Traffic Commission and noted all of the hard work that they do. He stated that he is working with the finance director and Mike Collins on improving roads and sidewalks. He noted that he is meeting this afternoon to finalize plans for sidewalk and street improvements that will be done this year. He also noted that Councilor Lang would be involved in that process. Benevento stated that the PTC recommendation in response to the order should be to continue with the current ordinance and install No Parking Here to Corner signs 20 feet from the corner and striping and fluorescent yellow green signs be installed. He further suggested that the city should consider sidewalk improvements and install vertical granite curbing when funds are available and to consider as phase 2 that sidewalks need to be restored. 3. 242 Elliott Street Clausen reported that he met Bill Ambrefe at the site and he informed him that the controller is not being triggered by turning movements. He reported that the observed the light for awhile and it looks like they are working very well. Benevento noted that the timing of the lights probably needs to be changed noting that the traffic has increased in the area since the lights were installed 15 years ago. Clausen will send a letter to Councilor Lang indicating that the detectors are working as. they should. Benevento suggested that a right turn out of the site on the second driveway may help. Sgt. Rollins stated that the city would have to get permission from the owner to post the sign. Clausen will reach out to the owner regarding installing a right turn only sign out of the second driveway on the site. 4. Light at Bridge Street and River Streets Clausen reported that he has talked with the project manager for the Parking Garage project and he told him that due to cost over runs on the garage project, they will not be including a traffic signal in the scope of work for Bridge and River Streets. He noted that he will be attending a meeting on Thursday with the state on the garage project and he will try to get that confirmed. Clausen stated that he is going to be meeting with them regarding policies on the use of the garage by residents during snow emergencies etc. Parking &Traffic Commission minutes May 6, 2014 Meeting Page 3 of 4 1 Clausen also reported that the 1A project is moving forward and that 75% of the temporary easements that are needed are in place. He reported that there will be three takings during that process as well. 5. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the PTC meeting held on April 8, 2014were presented for approval. Rollins: motion to approve the minutes of the March 14, 3014 Parking and Traffic Commission meetings as amended. Hutchinson seconded the motion. The motion carried (6 -0). 6. Next Meeting The next regular meeting of the Parking and Traffic Commission will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. 7. Adjournment Benevento asks if there is any additional business for the Commission to conduct. There is none. Rollins: 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 May 6, 2014 Meeting Page 4of4