2015-04-07CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
1.
BOARD OR COMMISSION:
Parking and Traffic Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
April 7, 2015
LOCATION:
City Council Chambers, Third Floor City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Richard Benevento, Chair, City Planner Aaron
Clausen, Vice Chair, Richard Hutchinson, Fire
Inspector Steve Tanzella, Sgt. Antonio DiRuzza
George Binns
MEMBERS ABSENT:
John Somes
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Engineer Greg St. Louis, Sean Ciancarelli,
RECORDER:
Eileen Sacco
Benevento calls the meeting to order at 8: 30 a.m.
Benevento welcomed new member George Binns to the Parking and Traffic
Commission.
2. Continued Review/Discussion: 12 Month Traffic Review for Traffic
Operations Associated with the Construction of Walgreens — 48 Dodge Street
— Westwood Apple Orchards LP
Jeff Rhuda is present representing Westwood Apple Orchards LP.
Benevento reported that he has reviewed the information submitted and notes that
in some cases the traffic has been less than anticipated.
Hutchinson states that he is concerned about traffic cutting across four lanes of
traffic when there is no left turn allowed from the 128 exit ramp. He notes that a
"right turn only" sign was to be installed and was indicated on the plan.
Rhuda states that the state agreed that they did not want cars cutting across the
four lanes of traffic.
Hutchinson states that he would recommend that the "Right Turn Only" sign be
installed.
Benevento states that he is not sure if the state approved the installation of the
sign and suggests that we check with the state on the matter.
Clausen states that what is on the plan is what should be installed. Benevento
requests that Clausen check with the state to see what is preferred.
Parking & Traffic Commission minutes
Page 1 of 8
April 7, 2015 Meeting
Rhuda explains that the problem is people cutting across the four lanes of traffic
to get to the Dunkin Donuts. He states that he will have Jeff Hale take a look at it.
George Binns suggests that a jersey barrier be installed to stop traffic from cutting
across the traffic. Benevento explains that the Parking and Traffic Commission
has talked about a lot of options for this area and notes that it is really a state
highway decision.
Clausen: motion to continue the matter to the May meeting of the Parking
and Traffic Commission if there is further information from the
state regarding the right turn only sign request. Hutchinson
seconds the motion. The motion carries (6 -0).
3. Continuation: Recommendation to Planning Board: Special Permit
Application #143 -14 and Site Plan Review Application #115 -15 — Construction
of the a Six Story Mixed Use Development at 181 Elliott Street- Beverly
Commerce Park LLC
Steve Drohosky addresses the Parking and Traffic Commission and recalls that at
the last meeting the Commission requested that they look at a more thorough
traffic study from the Starbucks light to Rantoul Street.
Drohosky explains that the traffic study concluded that the traffic lights are
working properly and the traffic impact from 73 condominiums would be
minimal.
Drohosky explains that an MUTCD signal warrant analysis was performed for
Elliott Street at Bass River Plaza due to concerns on the current impact on
mainline queuing during the weekday peak hours. He explains that the analysis
displayed the locations failure to meet MUTCD warrants. He notes that in the
capacity analysis with updated signal timing the intersection operates with
adequate traffic operations.
Drohosky also explains that the traffic study found the following:
The traffic volumes collected at all 6 intersections were increased by 5% to
account for seasonality
The annual 1% growth rate used to develop Future 2020 traffic conditions in
accordance with historic traffic data trends
The estimated $20 million dollar Rantoul Street (Route IA) improvements project
currently being advertised was assumed to be in place in the future analysis for
the intersection of Elliott Street and Rantoul Street.
Drohosky explains that the increase in traffic that could be allotted in any given
day could be for a lot of reasons. He notes that the occupancy at the Cummings
Center is currently 88 %.
Parking & Traffic Commission minutes April 7, 2015 Meeting
Page 2 of 8
Benevento states that this was a good opportunity to see what is happening there.
Rod Emery the Traffic Engineer that performed the study addresses the
Commission and states that there was a good data base going on out of the
network and notes that the findings were consistent with the Level of Service. He
notes that the Stop and Shop driveway could use a shift of 10 seconds that would
help that. He also notes that Starbucks has larger queues and notes that there are a
lot of driveways in that plaza.
Benevento recalls that prior to the Starbucks a large development was planned for
the Starbucks location that was never constructed and the signal was installed
anyway.
Benevento suggests that it might make sense to install a flasher in that location.
He also notes that if there are some minor tweaks in the timing etc. it could
improve the traffic flow.
Clausen states that the through movements would be a concern. Emery reports
that the Level of Service would be a "B"
Drohosky states that their suggestions are the result of their traffic study and states
that he would like to see the city do the work. He suggests that Emery could meet
with Bill Ambrefe to see what could be done.
Emery states that he does not think that timing is in sync with the other lights,
noting that they have been tweaked over time.
Clausen states that this recommendation should be separate from this project.
Sgt. Tanzella states that he would like to see a functional design service light for
the Starbucks intersection.
Benevento opens the meeting up for public comment at this time.
Rose Maglio addresses the Commission and expresses her concerns that there
should be a right turn only to go to McPherson Drive.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Hutchinson: Motion to recommend approval of the Special Permit
Application #143 -14 and Site Plan Review Application #115 -15 —
Construction of the a Six Story Mixed Use Development at 181
Elliott Street- Beverly Commerce Park LLC, with the condition
that the applicant work with the city to provide corridor timing
recommendations on Route 62 from Rantoul Street to Starbucks
Parking & Traffic Commission minutes April 7, 2015 Meeting
Page 3of8
prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Binns seconds
the motion. The motion carries (6 -0).
3. Recommendation to Planning Board: Special Permit Application #143 -15
and Site Plan Review ADUlicatlon #116 -15 — Construct five -story multi use
building with 72 residential units and 72 parking spaces with
retail /commercial space on the ground floor —131 Rantoul Street — Depot
Square Phase III, LLC
Atty. Miranda Gooding of Glovsky and Glovsky addresses the Commission on
behalf of the applicants. She states that she is joined this morning by Peter
Gordoux of Windover, Thad Siemansko, the Architect for the project, Charlie
Weir, and Kristen Poulin of Windover.
Gooding explains that the proposal requires a special permit from the Planning
Board to allow a mixed use development in the CC zoning district where the
residential portion exceeds 75 %.
Gooding explains that the property is just under one acre and has frontage on
Hardy, Pleasant, Railroad Avenue, and Rantoul Street. She explains that there are
currently a number of buildings on the site that are currently in condo status
owned by the O'Neil family and they are seeking to purchase the front building
and demolish the building to construct the new building.
Siemasko addresses the Commission and explains the layout of the site. He states
that they will have 72 parking spaces on the site which is one space per unit as
required by zoning. He explains that there will 61 spaces in a garage in the back
of the site and 10 spaces outside of the garage area. He notes the location on the
plan. He also explains that they are proposing to go to petition the City Council
to allow for two way traffic on Pleasant Street.
Benevento states that if it improves operation they need to tell the PTC what it is
going to do. He notes that there is an ongoing project on Rantoul Street and they
need to understand what the impact will be on Rantoul Street. He notes that he
has reviewed the proposal and there is no information on traffic included.
Gooding notes that they are two very different projects and traffic studies have
been done on the area for the MBTA garage etc. in the past few years. She also
states that preliminary conversations with the Planning Department did not
indicate the need for a traffic study.
Clausen states that early discussion with the applicant did not indicate that a
traffic study was necessary based on the impact of the project noting that this is a
very different project from the Elliott Street project. He also notes that this
proposed development is the kind of redevelopment that the city is looking for in
this area near the train station.
Parking & Traffic Commission minutes April 7, 2015 Meeting
Page 4of8
Clausen also reports that a review of excise taxes on cars for a half mile found
that there are less cars per dwelling. He also states that we need to have a
conversation about bike paths and walking.
Benevento states that he understands all that but notes that he has to be sure that
the Parking and Traffic Commission has all information needed if they want to
change the direction of the traffic on Pleasant Street.
St. Louis states that there is a new traffic signal proposed on Rantoul Street a half
mile away from this property.
Benevento states that he thinks it is a great project, noting the location fits well
with the transit development in the area but at the end of the day the city will own
what ends up there and we need to be sure that it works.
Siemasko reviews the site location and the layout of the site. He states that there
would be a benefit for the pedestrians walking on Rantoul Street because they are
eliminating the curb cuts and it will be a straight line. He also notes that
accessible curbs will be installed by the Rantoul Street project.
Siemasko reported that they are counting the retail spaces in the MBTA parking
garage.
Clausen explains that there is a provision in the ordinance allowing the use of
public parking within 500 feet of the site. He also explains that there is no
parking requirement in the CC zoning district and there will be a net loss of about
5 parking spaces on the street.
Siemasko notes that commuters who do not want to pay to park in the garage are
using the residential spaces in the area and it is not enforced.
DiRuzza states that there are 4 or 5 multi -unit dwellings that have 4 or 5 cars each
in that area. He notes that they will be removing spaces to make Pleasant Street a
two way street.
Benevento suggests that they make the road a little wider. Siemasko reports that
Pleasant Street is 33 feet from curb to curb. Discussion ensues regarding the
layout of the parking on Pleasant Street and the possibility of removing parking
from one side of the street.
Gooding reports that they held a neighborhood meeting and the neighbors were
concerned about losing parking.
Benevento recalls that the city did a parking survey in anticipation of the MBTA
parking garage.
Parking & Traffic Commission minutes April 7, 2015 Meeting
Page 5 of 8
St. Louis states that last fall specific enforcement of the parking in the area was
done to see if commuters were using residential spaces. He notes that the Ward
Two Councilor has mentioned parking issues and a traffic background analysis
was done.
Weir addresses the Commission and explains that the reason for the request for
two way traffic on Pleasant Street is to take the stress off Hardy Street.
Benevento states that he would like to see what it looks like in terms of signs and
striping.
Clausen states that the proposed striping plan and the two way conversion of
Pleasant Street will need something more than signage. Benevento agreed and
suggests a revision to the geometry could include a bump out. He also notes that
fire access to Hardy and Pleasant Street is a concern.
Benevento opens the meeting up for public comment at this time.
Rose Maglio of Pleasant Street addresses the Commission and expresses her
concerns about adding two curb cuts on Pleasant Street. She notes that there are
already two curb cuts on Railroad Avenue and it has two way access.
Dana Staples of 36 Pleasant Street addresses the Commission and notes that
commuter parking ends at 7:00 p.m. He states that the two hour parking on the
street has never been enforced adequately. He notes that the parking along the
building currently is used by the employees that are working in the building. He
further notes that very little traffic on Pleasant Street involves Pleasant Street.
Benevento asks Gooding if they have talked to the neighbors. Gooding explains
that they held a neighborhood meeting and 35 residents attended. She states that
she is not sure what streets they live on.
Maglio states that she feels that the changes will make the traffic worse and she is
concerned about trash collection.
Siemasko states that trash will be handled with dumpsters and deliveries will be
made on Rantoul Street.
Audrey Dickenson of Highland Avenue addresses the Commission and states that
she is concerned about traffic. She presented the Commission with a letter from
the Highland Street neighbors expressing their concerns about the project and
traffic in the area.
Dickenson stated that she drove by Railroad Avenue yesterday at 2:15 and there
were three cars at meters that had run out and there was no cars that had been
Parking & Traffic Commission minutes April 7, 2015 Meeting
Page 6 of 8
ticketed. She also states that she is concerned that this project will be taking
space in the garage, noting that there are a lot of homes in the area that have no
parking.
Benevento questions at what point, do we stop giving credit for spaces in the
parking garage. Clausen explains that zoning allows it and suggests that it would
have to be amended. He also notes that the Parking Garage has about 150 cars
using it per day and it holds 500 cars.
Gooding stated that the benefit of the residential parking plan is that it will ensure
that the garage spaces are available for the community.
Peter Gordoux addresses the Commission and states that they have a lot of work
to do before any ground breaking.
Benevento suggests that this be continued to the next meeting and suggests that
the applicant provide the following for the PTC:
1. Need to understand traffic in terms of the change in the direction on Pleasant
Street.
2. Review the traffic and sequence on file in the Engineering Department
3. Propose accommodations for pedestrians crossing Route IA
4. Pedestrian access to parking for retail space in the project safely
Benevento notes that the Parking and Traffic Commission needs to have a
discussion on the River Street intersection regarding future traffic.
Clausen suggests that they provide information on the distribution of the trips for
the surrounding streets and how it will play out with the Pleasant Street two way
change. He also suggests a survey of on street parking.
Benevento agreed noting that the neighbors have concerns.
St. Louis also states that they need to be sure that a fire truck will fit down there.
4. Approval of minutes
The minutes of the Parking and Traffic Commission meeting held on February 3,
2015, and March 3, 2015 were presented for approval.
Hutchinson moved to table the approval of the minutes to the May meeting.
6. Next Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Parking and Traffic Commission will be held on
Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 8:30 a.m.
Parking & Traffic Commission minutes April 7, 2015 Meeting
Page 7 of 8
7. Adjournment
Benevento asks if there is any additional business for the Commission to conduct. There
is none.
Hutchinson: motion to adjourn, seconded by Binns. All members in favor, motion
carries 5 -0.
The meeting is adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
Parking & Traffic Commission minutes April 7, 2015 Meeting
Page 8 of 8