2015-12-01CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION: Parking and Traffic Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: December 1, 2015
LOCATION: Conference Room B Third Floor City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair, Richard Benevento, City Planner Aaron
Clausen, Vice Chair, Sgt. Antonio DiRuzza, George
Binns, John Somes, Captain Chris Halloran,
MEMBERS ABSENT: Richard Hutchinson
OTHERS PRESENT: Greg St. Louis, City Engineer, Sean Ciancarelli
RECORDER: Eileen Sacco
1. Benevento calls the meeting to order at 8: 30 a.m.
2. Continued: Recommendation to Planning Board: Site Plan ADUlicatlon
#117 -15 —181 Elliott Street (33 Balch) — Construct Four - Story_ Subsidized
Elderly Housing Building — Beverly Commerce Park LLC
Steve Drohosky, General Manager of Cummings Properties, was present for the
applicant.
Benevento states that he has reviewed the revised plans submitted and the supplemental
traffic count performed by Jacobs Engineering. He notes that the original traffic
assessment only assessed trips generated from the proposed 40 -unit subsidized senior
housing project and the analysis did not identify existing traffic currently generated by
the Cumming Center.
Benevento states that the supplemental traffic counts conducted taking into account the
two access drives on Balch Street, did not include a traffic impact analysis, including
capacity analysis, accident analysis, or build, no -build scenarios for Balch Street at
McKay Street or Balch Street at Cabot Street intersections. He notes that the Balch —
Cabot Street intersection is currently under construction as part of the Route I
reconstruction project.
Benevento reviews supplemental traffic count calculations and states that they show that
the traffic generated from McKay Street to Cummings Center via Balch Street accounts
for 57.3% of traffic at Balch Street in the AM peak period, and 59% of the traffic during
the PM peak period generated from Cabot Street to the Cummings Center via Balch
Street accounts for 67.1% of the traffic at Balch Street in the AM peak period and 66.2%
during the PM peak period.
Benevento notes that of the 608 vehicles entering Balch Street from the McKay Street
intersection in the AM peak period, 359 vehicles are destined for the Cummings Center
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December 1, 2015 Meeting
(267 entering the West driveway and 92 entering the East driveway) which accounts for
59.6% of Balch Street traffic.
Benevento explains that during the PM peak period 213 vehicles out of 372 approaching
the McKay Street and Balch Street intersection are generated from the Cummings Center
property for 57.3% of Balch Street traffic.
Benevento notes that the applicant argued at the last meeting that the majority of traffic
going to the Balch Street intersection is going to other parts of the city as well. He notes
that while the development of the Cummings site has been piece meal the projects
themselves may not be traffic generators but we have to look at the total picture.
Clausen states that he feels that the whole site needs to be considered in totality and the
effects that it has on the Balch and McKay Street intersection. He notes that Cabot Street
has some improvements underway but he agrees with Benevento that it is the whole
picture that needs to be looked at. He further notes that minimal impact overall makes
the Level of Service (LOS) worse over time.
Binns states that he does not want to see the project killed but notes that one more thing
added to the existing traffic situation has to be looked at. He asks if they have any
solutions to offer. Drohosky states that they have no options.
City Engineer Greg St. Louis stated that he agrees with Benevento and the members of
the Board that the total traffic situation needs to be looked at.
Binns also added the new Middle School will add to the traffic problems.
Benevento states that he has read the letter that Cummings submitted and states that he
does not think that the City is being unreasonable. He states that he would like to work
collaboratively with Cummings to find a solution, but Cummings has indicated that if
they have to provide mitigation they could not do the project.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Clausen: Motion to recommend to the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of
Appeals that due to the information provided in Jacobs Engineering reports of September
19, 2015 and November 2, 2015 regarding the traffic conditions, the Parking and Traffic
Commission finds:
that there will be significant traffic impacts to Balch and McKay Streets as 50%
of the traffic on Balch and McKay Streets is generated from the Cummings
Center
• the existing conditions on Balch and McKay Streets intersection is over capacity,
and over half of the vehicles taking this approach in the afternoon peak period
originate from the Cummings Center; it is noted that a primary contributor to the
degraded traffic condition results from the Cummings Center traffic and
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additional traffic will further degrade in part due to the proposed senior housing
proj ect.
The Parking and Traffic Commission recommends that the applicant implement traffic
mitigation measures in connection with approvals for the proposed 40 units of subsidized
senior housing project. Traffic improvements should be implemented at the Balch and
McKay Street intersection so that all turning movements operate at an acceptable level of
service and any measures shall be proposed for review and recommendations by the
Parking and Traffic Commission.
Binns seconds the motion. The motion carries (6 -0).
Clausen will send a letter to the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals and
copy to Drohosky.
3. Recommendation to Planning Board — Modification to Special Permit #139-
14 and Site Plan Review - #113 -14 — 140 Brimbal Avenue — CEA Beverlv LLC
Attorney Thomas Alexander with offices at 1 School Street, Beverly, MA, addressed the
PTC and explained that he is joined this morning by Steve Cohen of CEA Group and Ron
Muller, the Traffic Engineer for the project.
Attorney Alexander explains that since the Site Plan and Special Permit were approved,
they have met several times with representatives of the Massachusetts Department of
Transportation ( MADOT) regarding the curb cut proposed within their jurisdiction. He
reported that MADOT has recommended that access on the connector road be modified.
He explains that the original configuration was a right turn in and a right turn out for all
vehicles. He explains that they have moved the curb cut 50 feet closer to the Brimbal
Avenue Round -About and the right turn in for all vehicles will be allowed but the right
turn out will be limited to trucks only.
Mr. Cohen addresses the PTC and explains that they have widened the driveway on
Sohier Road from 24 feet to 26 feet, and increased the landscaped area between Sohier
Road and Northridge from 10 feet to 18 feet and added a 10.5 foot landscaped area to
building A on the Northridge side of that building. He explains that they have eliminated
11 parking spaces next to building A on the Northridge side of that building to
accommodate the widened driveway and landscaped areas. He notes that parking on the
site still far exceeds the parking required by the City's zoning ordinance.
Mr. Cohen also explains that the throat of the main drive has been severely narrowed to
prevent customers from using the exit to the connector road and further notes that signage
will be installed as well.
Mr. Cohen stated that MADOT insisted that a gate be installed for truck egress and
explains that a gate will be installed that can only be accessed for Whole Foods trucks
and it will be controlled from the loading dock.
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Mr. Cohen introduced Ron Muller to review the plans.
Muller addresses the PTC and explains that they have been working with MADOT on
approval of the access for the site. He explains that their concerns were that the exit was
too close to the round - about. He notes that they looked at many variations of proposals
for the site and MADOT agreed that the exit could be for trucks only onto the connector
road. He states that the only effect on the access change is the Sohier Road access
driveway has been widened from 24 feet to 26 feet and they have increased the
landscaping on that driveway as well. He also notes that they have shifted the connector
road driveway 50 feet to the east closer to Brimbal Avenue.
Benevento states that capacity and Level of Service are not his issue at the moment. He
questions what size trucks will be entering the site. Muller states that the trucks will be
WB40's tractor trailers. Benevento asks what time of day they will be on site. Mr.
Cohen reports that they will be arriving early morning and leaving the site between 10
a.m. and noon.
Benevento notes that the trucks leaving the site and are most likely going to 128.
Clausen requests that they submit a proposal for signage to be installed. Muller explains
what they are proposing and notes the proposed locations for the signs.
Benevento states that he is concerned about moving the exit closer to the round -about and
notes the location and the potential for the trucks to cross the traffic lane. He questions if
they would be willing to put up Jersey Barriers.
Mr. Cohen states that he feels that is an unlikely scenario noting that one truck per day
will be entering the site and explains that they will have time to wait for the appropriate
gap in traffic.
Clausen questions what the basis of MADOT's decision on the truck access. Mr. Cohen
explains that they allowed it because it will be once per day and during non peak hours.
He further notes that they felt that this would be less intensive than what was originally
proposed.
Binns questions how often trash and composter trucks will be coming to the site. Mr.
Cohen explains that they may leave a box truck on a Tuesday but would drop a trailer and
remove it when it is full.
St. Louis questions if there will be a crosswalk at the entrance to the site. Mr. Cohen
explains that a multi model path width will cut through the island. He notes the location
and states that they are marked on the engineered drawing.
St. Louis also states that the City is encouraging bicycle lanes and signage should be
noted at the entrance.
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St. Louis states that he was hoping for curbing to be installed. He also notes the change
to the round -about and asks who is responsible for it. Mr. Cohen states that they were
hoping that it would be part of the round -about project. St. Louis notes that any change
to that project now would require a claim and would delay the project.
Mr. Cohen states that there should be no cost change to the project with the proposed
changes. Benevento states that he wants to be sure there is no additional cost to the City.
Mr. Cohen stated that a representative of Mass Works indicated that the state would pick
up the tab.
Clausen states that there has been no communication with the City from the state
regarding the change and who is responsible for the costs and he would be highly suspect
that whoever made that statement had the authority to do so, noting that it will be an
operational change to the round - about.
Muller states that the operation of the round -about did not change and notes that the LOS
is a B -C. He notes that there could be a slight increase in delays.
Clausen further notes that additional traffic from the round -about increases the queing
and reviews the operation of the traffic on the site and relative to the connector road.
Clausen notes that an operational change should result in a LOS A and reviews the queing
noting three or more cars will not affect the cars going straight.
Binns states that he would like to see a list of all of the proposed changes to the project.
Muller explains that the construction of the interchange is noted on the plan but the
changes are project specific.
Benevento called on Rebecca Brown of TEC Engineering to make a presentation on the
Peer Review that they conducted for the City of Beverly.
Rebecca Brown addresses the Commission and reviews her findings in the Peer Review
of the project. She explains that there are no significant changes in traffic operation of
the connector road.
Benevento notes the last paragraph of her report noting that the proponent committed to a
traffic and transportation demand management monitoring study to be conducted for five
years following full occupancy of the site to ensure that the project does not negatively
impact the operations of the study area intersections. Benevento asks if they have an
opinion on the traffic operation within the site.
Brown states that the operation is the same as what was previously proposed noting that a
truck would take up two lanes which will have more space with the use of Sohier Road,
but it will be the same. She also notes that it will be much safer and have a lot less
impact on the connector road.
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Clausen notes that TDM measured and analyzed the driveway traffic for peak hours in
the AM and PM. He questions if truck traffic could be analyzed as well to see if there
will be an impact on the round - about.
Mr. Cohen explained that the service area on the site has been relocated to between
buildings B & C.
Benevento opens the meeting up for public comment at this time.
Laurel Stevens of 31 Putnam Street addresses the Commission and states that there will
be more trucks coming and going from the site for the other businesses and asks what
size trucks they will be. Mr. Cohen explains that those will be smaller tenants with
smaller deliveries and the delivery trucks will be smaller.
Ms. Stevens also notes that when the North Shore Music Theater is in season that whole
area is jammed with traffic.
Dan DeAngelis addresses the Commission and states that he is conerned about the traffic
in the area on Saturdays when the North Shore Music Theater has matinees. He also
states that he is conerned about the trucks exiting the site during heavy traffic. Benevento
states that the delivery trucks can sit there all day until they get an adequate gap to leave
the site safely.
PTC member Steve Tanzella left the meeting at this time.
Benevento states that he would like an idea of what the Saturday operation will be, noting
that Saturday is the busiest shopping day.
Muller states that the Saturday peak hour que is 83 feet at mid -day.
DeAngelis questions if the police and fire departments are comfortable with the access to
Building C on the site. Benevento states that the height of the building is OK.
DeAngelis addresses the Commission again and notes that a resident of Northridge who
was unable to attend this meeting asked him to convey her concerns about the impact of
the K building on the site. Mr. Cohen explains that they have increased the landscape
buffer area for that building, noting that in the original plan that was approved 10 feet
was proposed and there is now 18 feet, he also notes that they removed 10 parking
spaces. Mr. DeAngelis suggested that they put a sound barrier wall up on the site. Mr.
Cohen states that they think that the impact will be minimal.
DeAngelis referred to the traffic on Brimbal Avenue that exists now during the road
construction and suggests that it would be great if they could do more than just put an
officer there to monitor traffic.
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Benevento asks if there is a speed limit in place on Brimbal Avenue. St. Louis states that
he will look into what it is. Benevento explains that speed limit signs are regulated by
law noting special speed regulations have to be allowed by the state before signs can be
installed.
DeAngelis suggests that the City put a ornamental rapid speed sign at the end of Brimbal
Avenue.
Rick Marciano of 141 McKay Street addresses the Commision and questions what will
be done to drivers who illegally exit the site onto the connector road. Sgt. DiRuzza states
that the Beverly Police Department and the State Police can issue violations. Marciano
questions if the Beverly City Council has to approve the signage noting that he wants to
be sure that the signs are legal. Clausen explains the process for signage approvals in
Beverly.
Marciano suggests that CEA should sign an agreement that they will pay for all traffic
mitigation.
Benevento states that additional mitigation would be part of their permit conditions.
Benevento states that he would like to review the Peer Review once more. Clausen states
that they can take the comments from the Peer Review memo and the undated plans and
provide a memo with a response to the comments.
Benevento suggests that the PTC continue this matter to their January 5, 2016 PTC
meeting.
Binns: Motion to continue the matter to January 5, 2016. Clausen seconds the
motion. The motion carries (5 -0).
Continued: Request to Install "No Parking Sign" Intersection of Ober and Hale
Streets going North — Request of Councilor Houseman
Benevento reports that he looked at this area and recommends that the geometry of the
intersection needs to be reviewed. He asks Houseman if he has talked with the neighbors
about this. Houseman states that he has not talked to them yet.
Benevento suggests that when the Hale Street improvements take place, the geometry of
this intersection needs to be addressed.
Councilor Houseman requested that the PTC table the matter at this time so that he can
get further information and reach out to the neighbors for their input.
Binns: Motion to table the matter for further information at the request of
Councilor Houseman. Somes seconds the motion. The motion carries (5
0).
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4. Citv Council Order #494- Communication from His Honor the Mavor re:
Parking Restrictions on Hull Street in the Vicinity of the Centerville School
Clausen explains that the City Council has referred Counci Order #494 for a
recommendation on the proposal to restrict parking on Hull Street in the vicinity of the
Centerville School. He explains that the request is to restrict parking on Hull Street on
the south side of the school headed east and the north side from the entrance north to Ash
Street. He explains that the school has a dismissal system for parents to pick up their
children, however the cars parked in these areas are blocking bus access to the School.
Clausen explains that he has looked at this and notes that in consideration of on street
parking in the neighborhood this is a better solution for this situation on Hull Street.
Benevento suggests that the Parking and Traffic Commission visit the site. He notes that
there should be no parking or standing in that area and it should be enforced.
Benevento notes for the record that Councilor Frates has submitted a letter in support of
the proposed parking restrictions.
Clausen: Motion to support the requested restriction of parking in the recommended
areas of Hull Street, near the Centerville School. Binns seconds the
motion. The motion carries (5 -0).
5. Review Request for a Crosswalk and Appropriate Signage at the Intersection
of Essex Street at Peabody Avenue — Sgt. DiRuzza
Sgt. DiRuzza explains that he received an email from a resident of Pratt Avenue
requesting the crosswalk after there was a car accident involving a senior citizen.
Benevento suggests that the members of the PTC take a look at the site on their own and
continue this matter to the next meeting on January 5, 2016.
Binns: Motion to table to the next meeting on January 5, 2016. Somes seconds
the motion. The motion carries (5 -0).
6. Approval of minutes: September 18, 2015 and October 6, 2015 and
November 3, 2015
The minutes of the Parking and Traffic Commission meeting held on Tuesday,
September 18, 2015 and Tuesday, October 8, 2015, and November 3, 2015 were
presented for approval. Benevento suggested that the minutes be tabled to the
next meeting.
Clausen: Motion to table the approval of the minutes to the January 5, 2016
meeting. Binns seconds the motion. The motion carried (5 -0).
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7. Next Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Parking and Traffic Commission will be held on
Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at 8:30 a.m.
8. Adjournment
Benevento asks if there is any additional business for the Commission to conduct.
There is none.
Binns: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Clausen. All members in favor,
motion carries 5 -0.
The meeting is adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
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