PTC Minutes 10-6-15_AC (2)CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
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MEMBERS PRESENT:
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RECORDER:
Parking and Traffic Commission
October 6, 2015
City Council Chambers, Third Floor City Hall
Chair, Richard Benevento, City Planner Aaron
Clausen, Vice Chair, Richard Hutchinson, Sgt.
Antonio DiRuzza, George Binns
Fire Inspector Steve Tanzella, John Somes
Eileen Sacco
1. Benevento calls the meeting to order at 8: 30 a.m.
2. Recommendation to Planning Board: Site Plan Application #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, Dennis Clark, CEO
of Cummings Properties, Mike Aveni, Senior Project Manager, and Rod Emery,
Traffic Engineer were present for the applicant.
Drohosky addresses the Commission and explains that they are proposing an over
55 elderly housing project for the northern end of the Cummings Center. He
explains that they are proposing a 44,000 s.f., four story building for 40
apartments that will be rental units.
Drohosky explains that they have submitted a traffic assessment for the project
and states that there will be very little impact from traffic generated by this
project. He explains that the units will be occupied by one person ages 55 or
older. He also notes that the project will have some affordable housing units.
Drohosky reviews the traffic analysis and notes that traffic counts at peak times
were very modest and less than 10 cars.
Benevento states that traffic from the project is one thing but given the traffic
from the entire site, that is another thing. He notes that he thinks that all of the
things that Cummings does for the community are great but notes that we have to
think about what we can do for the neighbors. He further notes that alleviating
some of the problems that are as a result of the site should be considered, noting
Balch Street.
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Benevento notes that the traffic analysis talks about the existing traffic count for
the Balch Street driveway.
Clausen states that there is not an existing count for the access drives and notes
that there should be counts for both access drives.
Rod Emery addresses the Commission and explains what they looked at for the
traffic analysis. He states that he recommends a warrant study for the next level.
He suggests that a roundabout may be a solution for Balch Street. Clausen notes
that it is an interesting solution and notes that the city is looking at the ability to
use some of the Beverly Golf and Tennis land for traffic improvements, noting
that potentially some takings on the McKay Street side could be considered. He
further notes that they are looking at the three intersections and discussions have
been held.
Benevento states that he would be willing to push for a right of way on the city
end.
Emery states that widening Balch Street would change the intersection to a Level
of Service A.
Councilor Martin asks if Cummings has looked at the traffic circulation on the
site.
Clausen states that there may be an opportunity here for them to look at the
circulation on the site.
Aveni addresses the Commission and states that they did a traffic count for Balch
and McKay Streets and estimated that approximately 13% of the traffic goes into
the Cummings Center.
Benevento states that the Cummings Center is booming and notes that they are
generating traffic one little project at a time.
Drohosky states that mathematically the traffic counts do not show that.
Benevento suggests that they should actually do a count of the access drives and
see what it is.
Dennis Clark addresses the Commission and states that everything they have been
asked to do at Cummings they have done. He states that they have recommended
that widening Balch Street and a signal warrant is needed.
Benevento states that he feels that a roundabout is better than a signal.
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Drohosky states that it is unfair of the Parking and Traffic Commission to hold the
project up for the traffic because of the McKay Street intersection, noting that
Cummings pays $250,000 per month in taxes. He stated that the city should be
helping to solve the issues with tax revenue and excise tax money.
Benevento states that new development should mitigate the impact the project
will have on the area.
Clausen states that new developments that cause issues typically work with the
city to mitigate the impact. He suggests that Cummings should update the traffic
study.
Benevento notes that there is more to the traffic problems that just that area,
noting that the problem goes all the way up to 128 and over to North Beverly.
Clark states that they are trying to be very thoughtful of the neighborhood. He
notes that they built two new garages for the benefit of the tenants because there
were issues with getting out of the driveway.
Clark stated that any investment they make on their site benefits them and notes
that the city is an integral part of what goes on offsite in the neighborhoods.
Clausen states that this is a large site and the site in general is causing significant
impact to traffic, noting that it is a good problem to have, but McKay and Balch
Streets need to be considered at some level.
Drohosky suggests that they could count the cars exiting the site.
Benevento states that the McKay Street intersection needs to be a point of
discussion. He also questions if there is anything else being considered to be
proposed for the site, asking if there is a long term plan.
Clark states that they do not have any additional plans for the site. He states that
this project is a byproduct of the covered decks that were built on the site and the
additional room that resulted from the additional parking.
Clark asks if the Commission is looking for them to make improvements to
McKay Street or make a contribution. Benevento states that he would be open to
suggestions and a contribution.
Clausen states that the other solution would be to put the project on hold until the
city addresses the issue of the intersection with a transportation improvement
project. Benevento estimated that a TIP project could take 5 -8 years for the city
to get Chapter 90 funds.
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Clausen states that there are five intersections in the city that they are going to try
and secure funding for.
Benevento explains that the Cabot and Rantoul Street funding request was made
in 1992 and they are just starting the project now, construction set to start next
year. He also notes that the city does not have the fiscal resources for traffic
improvements.
Emery suggests a functional design report should be done. Clausen states that a
functional design report is being prepared for the state funded project. Benevento
suggests that the City could provide Cummings with that report.
Emery states that the McKay Street intersection is a good location for a
roundabout. Benevento estimates that the cost of a roundabout is $250,000-
$300,000.
Drohosky states that they will review the functional design report and do some
additional traffic counts of the cars exiting the site. He notes that they are
scheduled to go before the Planning Board at their next meeting and suggests that
they may go forward with that presentation and get back to the Parking and
Traffic Commission at their next meeting.
3. Northshore Education Consortium / Beverly Athletic Club located on Sohier
Road at Reservoir Road Request for Traffic Relief
Clausen reports that the PTC visited the site on September 17, 2015. He reported
that the conditions found do not meet the requlations for a "School Zone"
requested by the North Shore Education Consortium. He notes that there appears
to be a missing stop sign at Sohier Road and Reservoir Road that needs to be
replaced.
Clausen reported that St. Louis is looking into the stop sign and will put up a new
one if the ordinace calls for one. He notes that if the ordinance does not call for a
stop sign they would have to amend the ordinance to include one at Sohier and
Reservoir Road.
Clausen: Motoin to recommend a stop sign is needed at Sohier Road and
Reservoir Road and that to further recommed that the Council
move forward with an ordinance change to allow this. Hutchinson
seconds the motion. The motion carries (5 -0).
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4. Old/New Business
Council Order #447 - Request for "Slow Children" Sign at Pilgrim Road and
Order #448 at Conant Street
Sgt. DiRuzza reported that he has received a request from Councilor Martin for a
"Slow Children" signs at two locationsand has been introduced under Council
Orders.
Benevnto stated that "Slow Children" signs are not MUTCD compliant and
explains that they are more political than they are effective. He notes that it gives
people a false sense of security and encourages people to let their children play in
the street. Clausen agrees and notes that this type of signage tends to be ignored
when it is overused.
There was discussion regarding the location across the street from the
Congregational Church on Conant Street since there is a public park and
playground at that location. Benevento mentioned that there should be signage at
this location alerting drivers to the fact that there is a playground in the vicinity.
Members where not aware whether or not such signage is in place. If not
"playground" signage should be in place rather than "slow children" signage. If it
is in place than no additional signage should be installed.
Clausen: Motion to recommed to the City Council not to allow the
installation of a "Slow Children Sign" as they are ineffective and
give a false sense of security. Hutchinson seconds the motion.
The motion carries (5 -0)
Request for Stop Sign at Echo and Overlook
Sgt. DiRuzza reported that there is a stop sign missing at Echo and Overlook and
notes that he looked it up and it is not called for in the ordinances.
Hutchinson: Motion to recommend to the City Council that a stop sign
at Echo Avenue and Overlook Drive be adopted by
ordinance and that a stop sign be installed. Clausen
seconds the motion. The motion carries (5 -0).
Request for Crosswalk at Dodge Street and Whirling Drive
Sgt. DiRuzza recalled that the Commission visited this area and asked where the
matter stands. He explains that he received an email regarding the status of the
request from Councilor Martin.
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Benevento recalls that there was discussion about moving the crosswalk. He
notes that the crosswalk would have to be ADA compliant and could cost about
$5,000. Clausen states that he will send a letter to Councilor Martin.
5. Approval of minutes: September 18, 2015
The minutes of the Parking and Traffic Commission meeting held on Tuesday,
September 18, 2015 were presented for approval. Benevento suggested that the
minutes be tabled to the next meeting.
Jonathan Salt of the Beverly Bike Committee addressed the PTC and reports that
there are cars parking in the bike lane on Hale Street. He notes that there are
some areas where there is parking and that is confusing. Sgt. DiRuzza states that
he will take a look at it. Clausen states that he does not think there should be
parking there. He also notes that sharrows indicate that the bike lane is shared
with drivers and there could be parking in those areas in some cases.
6. Next Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Parking and Traffic Commission will be held on
Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at 8:30 a.m.
7. 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 7 -0.
The meeting is adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
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