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2014-06-03CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: Parking and Traffic Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: June 3, 2014 LOCATION: Conference Room B, Third Floor City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Benevento, Chair, Vice Chair Bill Bent, City Planner Aaron Clausen, Bill Fiore, Richard Hutchinson, John Somes, Sgt. Russ Rollins MEMBERS ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: Councilor Estelle Rand, Councilor Don Martin, Jeff Rhuda, RECORDER: Eileen Sacco 1. Benevento calls the meeting to order at 8: 30 a.m. 2. Discussion on Traffic Issues behind Henrds Market Clausen reported that he met with Mayor Cahill regarding the area behind Henry's Market with regards to the traffic concerns of the neighbors. He noted that there was a petition submitted signed by 42 neighbors in the Yale Street area noting that the area is flanked with cut through traffic. Benevento recalled that the Commission did a site walk last fall and had a number of recommendations the biggest of which was that a traffic study be done. He noted that at the time Mike Collins was not quite sure what could be done but some minor changes could be made. Benevento stated that a scope of work needs to be developed. Bent recalled that he did one last fall and he was pretty sure he sent it to Tina Cassidy. He estimated that it would have been around October of 2013. Bent noted that there were other issues that were internal to the neighborhood. Clausen noted that the intersection is congested and cut through traffic in the neighborhood is an issue. Sgt. Rollins stated that the Police Department has not a lot of enforcement in the area and it helps for a while but then people go back to their old ways. Benevento stated that restrictions at certain times of the day do not work. Rollins agreed noting that people ignore them. Benevento stated that he would like to see some work on this so that the city can get going on this. Parking & Traffic Commission minutes June 3, 2014 Meeting Page 1 of 6 Bent states that he would work on it and requested a copy of the neighborhood geography. Clausen will see if he can locate the scope of work done last year and forward the information to Bent. 3. Review / Discussion: Traffic Review /Monitoring Program Provided for Six Month Review of Traffic Operations Associated with Construction of Walgreens - 48 Dodge Street /Westward Apple Orchards Limited Partnership (Symes Associates) Jeff Rhuda addressed the Commission and reported that they did some traffic monitoring in April with regards to the new Walgreens at 48 Dodge Street. He explained that the PTC requested that the traffic monitoring be done to test the assumptions made during the planning and approval process of the project. Rhuda reported that the traffic volumes submitted are lower than what they estimated for the site, noting that it is 60% lower. He also reported that 200 peak hour trips in in line with the study. He stated that the total volume of traffic is within the volume that was expected. Rhuda reported that the intersections are operating at a Level of Service C and the cues have 20 -30 vehicles as expected. He noted that they do clear but it is a rolling cue. Rhuda reported that the driveway on Dodge Street does not cue up as substantially and is not long enough to be concerned about. He also reported that there are more people coming out of Corning Street that expected. Hutchinson reported that there is a missing sign when people come off the highway explaining that there should be a right turn only sign. He noted that the rail road pavement signs are there but there is no sign for the right turn. Bent questioned what the store hours are. Rhuda stated that the store hours are 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Benevento asked if there have been any accidents near the Walgreens since it opened. Sgt. Rollins stated that he would check. He noted that the Dunkin Donuts is the problem in the mornings. Clausen stated that he feels that any drive through should have to go through Site Plan Review. Benevento stated that things seem to be operating OK and thanked Rhuda for attending the meeting and making the report. 4. Beverly Bicycle Plan Discussion - Complete Streets PolicX Clausen reported that the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is developing a Complete Streets Policy for the City. He explained that a bike path that would connect with Danvers has been worked on and they had hoped to move it forward Parking & Traffic Commission minutes June 3, 2014 Meeting Page 2 of 6 but the timing didn't work out. He explained that the focus is to create a bike network that provides for a safer environment for bikers. Benevento reported that bike networks tend to be disjointed and noted that there is a need to provide continuity. He recalled that years ago Deb Hurlburt prepared a draft bike path plan. Clausen introduced Chris Cardilla of MAPC to make a presentation on the Complete Streets Policy. Cardilla explained the Complete Street Policy and noted that it is designed for everyone and for all forms of travel (walking, bicycling, driving and public transit). He also explains that the goal streets that are safe, comfortable, convenient and accessible and that the streets are designed to be context accessible. Benevento stated that he has had a lot of exposure to Complete Streets and noted that one size does not fit all. He noted that Mass DOT supports Complete Streets but the rank and file have not completely accepted it. He states that we need to look at this very carefully. He further noted that the public needs to understand that it does not solve everything. Benevento explained that the policy needs to recognize the design and physical constraints that need to be considered. Clausen explained that the policy changes the focus to looking at all of the uses of the streets such as cars, bikes and walking activities. Michelle Payne of 14 Chapman Street, asked what communities have successfully implemented Complete Streets. Cardilla explained that Maynard, Littleton an Everett have successfully implemented it and Salem will be adopting it soon. Councillor Rand stated that she would be happy to adopt a policy but she stated that unless the DPW is on board with it she would be reluctant to support it. She stated that the DPW should be involved in the process. Cardilla agreed that the DPW buy in is critical and it is important to be sure that the process is a collaborative effort. Bent stated that he supports the policy but questioned how it could be enforced. Clausen stated that the policy is more advisory. Benevento stated that he feels that sound engineering will be necessary as to what recommendations are made in the policy and what exceptions will be included need to be carefully considered. Clausen stated that the policy will be implemented as projects are considered with an emphasis on working across departments. Bent stated that one thing he looks for when he is driving is if there are ways to steer bikes away from streets that do not have sufficient shoulder room for bikes. Parking & Traffic Commission minutes June 3, 2014 Meeting Page 3of6 Clausen reported that a bike master plan would look at arterials that are safe opportunities for bikers noting that there are a range of levels and experience in terms of ridership for bicyclists. He noted that there could be certain routes for experienced riders. He also noted that the concerns raised are valid and the consideration of this policy initiates conversations about things that they may not have thought off. Councilor Rand stated that she represents the downtown and noted that she rides her bike frequently and she feels that this policy will help make riding downtown safer. Councilor Houseman stated that he feels that this is the beginning stage of doing more around the culture of bike riding. He noted that in Europe bike riders are part of the culture and expected. Cardilla stated that he will be working with Clausen on the draft of the Beverly Complete Streets Policy and he will take the suggestions made today into consideration. He also stated that they would be looking for support from the Planning Board as well. Clausen stated that the Parking and Traffic Commission should weigh in at some point before the policy is approved. Clausen reported that the Bicycle Committee will be meeting on this on June 5th at 7:00 p.m. in the Beverly Public Library. S. Discussion on Route 1A Project Clausen reported that the Engineering Department is out getting signatures on the temporary easements for the project. Benevento asks if the 75% design comments have been received. Clausen reports that they have not got them yet but they have been approved. Clausen reported that from the parking prospective the MBTA is willing to discuss allowing residents to use the garage for snow emergencies etc. He states that he thinks it will be parking space lease agreement and the details will have to be worked out. 6. New or Other Business Michelle Payne addressed the Commission and reported that she received a parking ticket earlier this year and expressed her concern that there is not enough parking during snow emergency parking bans. She stated that she was parked on the street and there was no snow falling and she got a ticket. She also noted that there are exceptions made for restaurant customers during a snow ban and tickets are not issued until the restaurants close. Sgt. Rollins explained that the ordinance give the Chief the ability to be reasonable about the time that snow bans are in effect and they try to be flexible for the Parking & Traffic Commission minutes June 3, 2014 Meeting Page 4of6 businesses. He also notes that the police department does not start to tow cars until after 8:00 p.m. Benevento stated that this is a police department issue and is not within the jurisdiction of the Parking and Traffic Commission. Councilor Rand offered to help Ms. Payne get more information regarding her concerns from the Police Department and other city departments. Councilor Rand requested that the Parking and Traffic Commission consider making School Street a two way street. Sgt. Rollins explained that it was made a one way in 1999 and explained that it would not work because of the lights on Cabot Street cannot accommodate that at this time and they would have to restrict parking. Councilor Rand suggested that there should be 15 minute parking spaces in front of the coffee shops in the downtown. Sgt. Rollins explained that there are 15 minute spaces in front of the Atomic Caf6 but people feed the meters. Benevento suggests that the parking limit should be 30 minutes. He suggested that the matter be referred to Sean Ciancarelli for review noting that they did a review of all of the parking in the downtown area. Clausen stated that they intend to review the study when the MBTA parking garage is completed noting that there were some changes implemented in that area to accommodate the area while the garage is under construction. Councilor Rand noted that there is a stop sign behind a tree on the corner of Dane Street and Chase Street. Sgt. Rollins stated that he would check that out. S. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the PTC meeting held on May 6, 2014 were presented for approval. Rollins: motion to approve the minutes of the May 6, 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, July 2, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. 7. Adjournment Benevento asks if there is any additional business for the Commission to conduct. There is none. Parking & Traffic Commission minutes June 3, 2014 Meeting Page 5 of 6 Rollins: motion to adjourn, seconded by Hutchinson. All members in favor, motion carries 7 -0. The meeting is adjourned at 10:30 a.m. Parking & Traffic Commission minutes June 3, 2014 Meeting Page 6 of 6