PTC Minutes 4 5 16Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission
Minutes
April 5, 2016
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
1.
BOARD OR COMMISSION: Parking and Traffic Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: April 5, 2016
LOCATION: Conference Room B Third Floor City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair, Richard Benevento, City Planner Aaron Clausen,
Vice Chair, Sgt. Antonio DiRuzza, George Binns, Richard
Hutchinson, Capt. Chris Halloran,
MEMBERS ABSENT: John Somes
OTHERS PRESENT: Greg St. Louis, City Engineer
RECORDER: Eileen Sacco
Benevento calls the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
2. Recommendation to Planning Board: Site Plan Review Application #121 -16 —
construct two -story building containing approximately 80,000 s.f. gross floor area to
be used for Engineering, Fabrication, Distribution and Related Office Uses —102
Cherry Hill Drive — 102 Cherry Hill Development LLC.
Attorney Miranda Gooding addresses the Commission and explains that she is joined this
morning by Peter Ogren and Steve Connelly, principle for the project. She explains that
this project has been vetted by the City of Beverly Project Review Team and this is one of
the last undeveloped lots at Cherry Hill. Gooding explained that they are proposing to
construct a two -story mixed -use building to be used for manufacturing and office space.
Gooding stated that this is an exciting project and explains that the company HighRes
Biosolutions is renovating the facility to move its World Headquarters to Beverly.
Gooding stated that this is a simple site plan in an area intended for this use. She
introduced Steve Connelly to explain the plan.
Connelly addressed the Commission and explained that this lot is at the corner of Sam
Fonzo Drive and Cherry Hill. He explained the location for the proposed building and
noted that the lower floor would be used for manufacturing in the upper floor will be for
administration and engineering. He explains that the building will be built into the hill
and the upper level of the building will be accessible from the parking lot at the top of the
site. Access to the lower level of the building will be from the loading dock side of the
building.
Connelly explained the site plan and noted the location of the roadways in the parking
area. He explained that they expect 3 to 5 box trucks per day making deliveries to the
site and there would be no conflict with the school located next to the site. He also
estimated that they might have 1 -2 trailer trucks per week. He explained that most of the
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shipments would be small in size and he further explained that the company builds
robotic equipment for biosciences and everything they build is sourced in Massachusetts
and is sold all over the world.
Peter Ogren addresses the Commission and explains the parking requirements for the IR
zoning district. He explained 40,000 s.f. requires 260 spaces and notes that they had
previously intended to ask for a reduction in parking requirements but have since decided
to provide the full parking requirement.
Ogren explains the access to the site on the plans and notes the areas for truck access and
notes that the industrial park was designed for buildings like this.
Benevento questions why they are adding a driveway and not sharing one driveway with
the school which is located next door.
Connelly reports that they do not want to confuse the high school traffic and explains the
traffic pattern on that site. He explains that the students are supervised during dismissal
and the transportation is provided by small vans and taxis. He further notes that there are
no walkers to the school or students who ride their bikes to school. He explains that a
separate entrance is justified because of the amount of cars (260) and they do not want to
complicate the operation of the school.
Benevento stated that he thinks a 53 foot tractor - trailer would be in conflict trying to get
up that road. Connelly explained that they have one or two a week and some weeks there
are none. He further notes that school is in session 8 months of the year and pick up and
drop off times are for a short time in the morning and the afternoon.
Benevento asks if any trip generation calculations have been done. Ogren states that they
have not done a trip generation. Benevento states that he feels that they should do one
just for due diligence.
Clausen states that this is part of a redevelopment that's been going on for quite some
time and it is his sense that the project is not really going to have an impact on current
street network and he does believe a trip generation analysis is needed. He also noted
that adequate turning is provided.
Benevento states that the industrial park was designed a long time ago and now that it is
almost built out and a lot has changed over the years relative to guidelines for
transportation infrastructure. For example he pointed to City's adoption of the complete
streets program that encourages sidewalks for this type of development which were not
required back when the industrial park was first constructed. He asks if there are any
sidewalks at Cherry Hill.
Connelly explains that there are no sidewalks at Cherry Hill. Clausen explained that
further up the street there is a sidewalk but there are no sidewalks in the area of Sam
Fonzo Drive in Cherry Hill.
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Connelly reviews the circulation pattern for the school and its relation to the project site.
Benevento asks if there will be signs that indicate no parking. Connelly explained that
there are no parking signs and that the road will be a one -way coming into the site.
Benevento states that he is still concerned about the conflict point where trucks are
entering the site. Capt. Halloran stated that they need to be able to get a fire truck all
around the building from both Sam Fonzo and Cherry Hill. He explains the ladder truck
would be within 30 feet out front noting the building is set back 30 feet and explains that
the fire department tries to get three corners of the building and the truck would have to
be on the street.
Sgt. DiRuzza stated that there may be a lot more traffic on Conant Street with 260
parking spaces on the site. Mr. Ogren explained that most of the expected traffic will
come from route 128, he goes on to note that the hours of operation are staggered and the
employees will not all be on the site at the same time.
Attorney Gooding explained the presently the total employee count is under 100;
however, they do anticipate growth.
Benevento stated that the plan should not be based on what the employee count is now in
the trip generations, types of use and future expansion of the company need to be
considered now.
Attorney Gooding explained that they are developing an industrial /office use in an office
park and noted that they asked if a traffic study would be needed and it was suggested
that they didn't need to do one given this location. Benevento stated that he feels they
should demonstrate the traffic impact on the area.
Hutchinson asked if the road is designed to take a right out of the driveway, noting that he
would discourage that.
Binns stated that he is also concerned about the possibility of a right turn out of the site
stating that if a 53 -foot truck has to make a left -hand turn if it would project into the
school driveway. Ogren states that he does not think the truck would have to do that.
Connelly again states that they anticipate 1 -2 trailer trucks per week including UPS and
FedEx.
City Engineer Greg St. Louis asks if they plan on using turf stone pavers on the site.
Connelly explains that he is planning to use them and has used them on other sites for 30
years. St. Louis expresses concern that he doesn't think they will hold up and suggested
that they might use concrete.
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St. Louis also noted that at the primary entrance there is no reason not to have 15 foot
radius. Benevento agreed noting the need to accommodate right turn at a minimum per
UPS truck.
Ogren explained that they worked on this loading dock and consider the amount of study
they did on the site including test borings.
Clausen notes that small box trucks are likely to make that right turn.
Ogren explains that they have been to the Beverly Airport Commission and they are in
support of the project. He further explained that they are in the process of going through
the permitting process with the FAA.
St. Louis asked if they had submitted drainage calculations for the site. Attorney
Gooding explained that they should've been received noting that they have been in
circulation.
Benevento notes that the City has adopted a complete streets policy which encourages
healthy transportation including bike racks to accommodate employees who wish to ride
bikes to work. Connelly stated that they would be willing to provide appropriate storage
such as a bike rack on the site. It was noted the Conant Street is not a bike friendly street.
Clausen explains that the City is making an effort to improve bike access throughout the
City. He notes that Axcelis and Cell Signaling have a number of employees who use
alternative transportation.
Benevento asks if there is anyone from the public would like to speak on this project.
Cynthia Modugno of 1 Colgate Rd., Beverly, addressed the Commission and suggested
the deliveries to the site could be managed by having them be by appointment only.
Jonathan Salt addressed the Commission and noted that the complete streets policy
includes walking paths as well. He suggested that a crosswalk is needed at Sam Fonzo
Drive in Cherry Hill and this may be a good opportunity to get one.
Benevento reviews the items of concern that have been expressed at the meeting and
notes the location of the bike racks, fire access needs to be maintained around the
building, auto turns should be shown on the plan noting the trucks cannot be exiting into
the opposing lane, the impact of the driveway on the school being kitty corner, and the
opportunity for a crosswalk at the intersection of Sam Fonzo Drive. He asked Ogren if
they could take a look at these items and see if there is an opportunity to provide
pedestrian access as well.
St. Louis questioned if there is a requirement to provide public access on the site. Clausen
stated that there is no requirement for public access. Benevento suggested that the
Commission continue this matter until its May 3, 2016 meeting.
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Attorney Gooding stated that the project is under tight schedule and requested that the
Commission could send a letter to the Planning Board citing their concern as a condition
of approval. She explained that the prospective tenant is under pressure to vacate their
current space in Woburn.
Mr. Benevento stated that he is concerned the revised plans could get whittled down and
he wants to be sure that these things are incorporated into the plans.
Clausen stated that he would support conditional approval and noted that the changes
requested are fairly simple. He suggested that a recommendation with conditions from
the Parking and Traffic Commission are usually tied into the approval by the Planning
Board and stated that the Commission should feel comfortable with that. He also noted
that the revised plans would be submitted to the Planning Board and would have the
changes recommended by Parking and Traffic Commission. Benevento stated that he
would be fine with that. Clausen further noted that the revised plan would be further
reviewed by the Fire Department during the Planning Board review.
Clausen: motion of the Parking and Traffic Commission recommend approval of the
site plan review for 102 Cherry Hill Dr., Cherry Hill Development LLC
with the following conditions:
1. Bike racks will be available on the site to encourage alternative transportation
2. alternative radii asked the on the north side of the driveway to discourage vehicles
from right turn
3. clarification that there is adequate room for fire access on three sides of the building
4. revised plans shall be submitted to the planning board
5. traffic signage shall be installed to reduce potential conflicts on site
Hutchinson seconds the motion. The motion carries (6 -0).
3. Request for Informal Project Review — 480 Rantoul St. — Beverly Crossing 480, LLC
Attorney Maranda Gooding addressed the Parking and Traffic Commission and explains
that she is joined this morning by Chris Koeplin, Kristen Poulin, from Beverly Crossing
and Rebecca Brown of TEC. She explained that they have requested this informational
review of the project and notes that they have not filed a site plan at this time.
Attorney Gooding explained that the site is the former Friendly's site and has over 85,000
ft. and 220 feet of frontage on Rantoul Street. She explained that they're proposing a
five -story mixed -use building with 90 residences comprised of 62 one - bedroom and 28
two - bedroom apartments. She explained that the ground floor of the site is proposed to be
for commercial use.
Attorney Gooding stated that all parking required in the CC zoning district of
approximately 118 parking spaces will be provided. She also noted that there are seven
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street spaces proposed for the retail uses. She also noted that this project will require a
special permit from the Planning Board. She introduced Chris Koeplin to explain the site.
Koeplin explained that they feel that this is a good location to attract local businesses. He
reviewed the area on the plan and noted the locations of the buildings and their proximity
to the street as well as the parking areas and landscaping on the site.
Rebecca Brown of TEC addressed the Parking and Traffic Commission and stated that
the access study included the area of Rantoul and Elliott and up to the Cabot and Rantoul
Street intersection. She pointed out that the the proposal includes two site. She also
explained that they have done a safety analysis.
Brown reported that they looked at crash data records from 2009 through 2013 and stated
that there have been five crashes during that period. She explained the majority of
collisions are angle collisions that involve left turns. She also noted that rear end
collisions are common in areas where there are no turning lanes. She explained that the
Massachusetts Department of Transportation project will provide turning lanes and
timing adjustments to the light along Rantoul Street.
Brown explained that they conducted traffic counts in March 2016 and traffic volumes
and explain the process that they used. She also noted that they have considered
additional traffic from other developments in the area noting 131 Rantoul Street. She also
noted that they found there to be a lot of people walking and biking in the area.
Brown explained that they have planned for built conditions out to 2023 in their analysis
noting that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation project route IAwill be
completed in 2017 and that intersection should have a better level of service due to the
changes in the traffic signal timing.
Brown explained that there will be 118 parking spaces for residential units and seven
parking spaces on the street for the retail use. She explained the peak demand for parking
is estimated at 108 parking space. Brown explained the traffic anaylsis found a safe and
acceptable level of service and no large increases in delays at the study intersections.
Hutchinson stated that Lenox Street is used a lot and should be included when
considering how many cars are coming out onto Rantoul Street.
Charlie Weir addressed the Parking and Traffic Commission and explain the traffic
circulation on the site. He noted the exit location and 118 parking spaces on site noting
that there will be one parking space per unit. He notes that they do not feel that they need
hundred 118 and suggested that they are looking at perhaps providing more green space
on the site with the capability of adding more parking in the future if needed
Clausen explained that they were asked to look at the parking and their needs noting that
118 parking spaces is a lot for the site and further noted that the City is trying to limit
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large under used parking lots downtown. He notes that the shared use of retail and
residential provides an opportunity to look at ways to look at ways to reduce impervious
areas on the site and it is worth exploring. He notes that parking usage has been looked at
for seven different properties downtown and they have found that .8 parking spaces are
being used across these similar downtown developments.
Benevento stated that less parking on the site provides better circulation of the site. He
asks if they are planning on providing bike racks in the project. Koeplin stated that they
are looking at covered secure storage for bicycles.
Benevento asked if members of the Commission have any questions or comments
regarding the project.
St. Louis suggested that they may need to provide five handicap parking spaces. He noted
that if relief from parking is granted they will still need to comply with handicap parking
regulations.
Benevento asked if there was anyone present from the public who wishes to comment on
this project.
Cynthia Modugno addresses the Commission and expressed her concern that they will
have to fill the back parking lot and build a wall noting that the drainage will infiltrate
underground. She notes that she has concerns that this will impact her property.
Benevento noted that the Parking and Traffic Commission can only make
recommendations regarding Parking and Traffic.
Dr. Clark of 491 Rantoul St. addresses the Commission and stated that he has been on
that street for 34 years and stated the timing of lights at Gloucester Crossing can
sometimes be 10 minutes or so noting that the trains delay traffic. He noted the traffic is
gridlocked at Elliott Street and Cabot Street three or four times a day. He also expressed
concern about business parking on lower Elliott Street and stated that there are no meters
and suggested that one hour meters should be installed. He also stated that he agrees with
Mr. Hutchinson that Lenox Street is heavily used. He further noted that he is concerned
that there will be even more of an increase traffic when the new Beverly middle school
opens.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this presentation, Benevento
thanked them for attending the meeting and stated that he hopes that they received helpful
feedback.
4. City Council order #68 — Request for City of Beverly Ordinance Change section 21.
12 (i) - Stop Sign at Reservoir Road and Sohier Road- Sgt. DiRuzza
Clausen explained that the Parking and Traffic Commission made a recommendation to
the City Council to amend the ordinance relative to a stop sign at Reservoir Road and
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Sohier Road before the year -end and the City Council never acted on it by the end of the
year and it now needs to be resubmitted to the Council for action.
Binns: Motion that Parking and Traffic Commission send a letter for installation
of stop sign at Reservoir Road and Sohier Road. Hutchinson seconded the
motion. The motion carries (6 -0).
5. City Council Order #67 - Request for City of Beverly Ordinance Change Section 21.
12(D Stop Sign at Overlook Avenue at Echo Avenue — Sgt. DiRuzza
Clausen explains that this matter was also submitted to the City Council before the end of
the year and was not acted on by the end of the year. He explained that the Commission
needs to submit this again to initiate the process.
Binns: motion that Parking and Traffic Commission send a letter of
recommendation for installation of stop sign at Overlook Avenue
and Echo Avenue. Hutchinson seconded the motion. The motion
carries (6 -0).
6. City Council Order #70 - Request for Handicap Sign at 19 Grant St., - Councilor
Latter
Benevento recalled that the Commission approved this request a while ago. Clausen
explained that the application was sent out to the resident but it was never returned. He
stated that he would get the application and look into this further and recommended that
the Commission table the matter.
Benevento recalled that at the time there was a lot of discussion on the process issuing
handicap signs and there was a proposal to initiate a review process to keep track of them
and to be sure that they are being used appropriately noting that people move and they are
no longer needed. Clausen stated that he would look into that as well.
7. Continued: City Council order #48 — Request for City of Beverly ordinance change
no parking both sides on Court Street — Sgt. DiRuzza
Sgt. DiRuzza explains that the request is for no parking signs to be installed on both sides
of Court street. St. Louis explained that Court Street is private way and the City has no
jurisdiction.
Benevento suggests the Parking and Traffic Commission send a letter to City Council
indicating that there is no jurisdiction in this matter.
8. City Council Order #72 — Beverly Middle School Project Review and
Recommendation — City Council President Paul Guanci
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Benevento explained Council Guanci has requested that the Parking and Traffic
Commission review Beverly middle school project for traffic recommendations. He
questions why Commission has not seen the project before this.
Clausen explained that he has not seen traffic plan and explains that the Commission as a
body doesn't have authority to review City construction projects which is why the
Commission has not seen the project. He also noted that the project is currently under
construction and it is a little late to be considering traffic impacts.
Binns notes that he is a member of the School Building Committee and stated that the
project has been fully vetted by the Massachusetts School Building Authority and
members of the Beverly School Building Committee have raised concerns about traffic
and parking issues during the process. He explained that there is a plan for traffic
circulation on the site during drop off and dismissal times that the School Department has
drafted which has been presented to the School Building Committee. He notes that the
intersection of Balch and Cabot Street has been discussed but he is not heard mention of
Balch and McKay Streets.
Benevento questions if they need indirect access to the site or a permit from the
Department of Transportation for a curb cut.
Binns reported that the traffic study showed that there would be no impact at the
intersections that were studied.
Benevento asked if they incorporated the complete streets policy in the planning of the
new school. St. Louis noted that the Route IAproject includes bike lanes and sharrows
and notes that the middle school has bike lanes behind it.
Benevento states that he feels some direction is needed noting that as a Commission our
mission is to improve traffic and safety. He recommended that the Commission table this
matter for more clarification.
9. Continued: Winter, Knowlton, Pond and Cabot Streets Intersection — Councilor
Silva
Benevento reported that he has looked at this area and he would like some additional time
to study it further. St. Louis reported that he looked at 1998 Cabot St. design which
shows a larger pump out and suggested that he would sketch something for the
Commission to look at.
10. Continued: Review Request for a Crosswalk, Appropriate Signage at the
intersection of Essex Street and Peabodv Avenue — Sgt. DiRuzza
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St. Louis explained that the site distances need to be improved, the vertical grade change
is greatest challenge to overcome. He noted that to install an ADA compliant ramp in this
section would improve the site distance issue.
Sgt. DiRuzza noted that a lot of pedestrians crossing that area. Benevento agreed and
noted that if you improve it people will use the crosswalk.
Clausen: Motion to recommend to the City Council the crosswalk be installed at the
intersection of Essex and Peabody streets complete with ADA compliant ramps and that
M UTCD compliant signage be installed with fluorescent yellow -green to improve
visibility. Binns seconds the motion. Motion carries (6 -0).
11. Approval of Minutes — February 2, 2016
The minutes of the Parking and Traffic Commission meetings held on February 2, 2016
were presented for approval.
Benevento suggested that the approval of the minutes be tabled until the next meeting.
12. New /Other Business — Scheduling Next Meeting and Setting Agenda, Discussion/
Recommendations on Parking and Traffic related complaints /issues /questions,
potential City Ordinance Changes
Benevento stated that he is crafting a letter to send to the Mayor requesting that the
ordinance relative to the Parking and Traffic Commission be amended to include the City
Engineer as a permanent member of the Parking and Traffic Commission. He stated that
he feels that this would be a good addition to the Commission noting that he relies on the
Engineer's expertise in most matters before them.
13. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Parking and Traffic Commission this
morning, Binns moves to adjourn the meeting. Clausen seconds the motion. The motion
carries (5 -0).
The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
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