Loading...
Draft PTC Minutes 8 9 16Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission August 9, 2016 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES 1 BOARD OR COMMISSION: Parking and Traffic Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: August 9, 2016 LOCATION: Conference Room B Third Floor City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Richard Benevento (9:00 a.m.), City Planner Aaron Clausen, Vice Chair, Richard Hutchinson, Sgt. Antonio DiRuzza, George Binns, John Somes MEMBERS ABSENT Capt. Chris Halloran OTHERS PRESENT: Greg St. Louis, City Engineer RECORDER: Eileen Sacco Clausen calls the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. 2. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the Parking and Traffic Commission meeting held on July 5, 2016 were presented for approval. Binns: Motion to approve the minutes of the July 5, 2016 Parking and Traffic Commission meeting as presented. Hutchinson seconds the motion. The motion carries (5 -0). 3. Update on Complete Streets Project Clausen informed the PTC that the City of Beverly is eligible for a Complete Streets project from MA DOT and will be submitting a project for Broadway Street. He explains that the grant could be for $400,000 and they have recommended the Broadway project and explains that they are hoping to improve pedestrian connections, install bump outs and are looking to include more substantial bike paths and traffic calming measures. Clausen notes that the intent is to build a connection from Cabot Street to Rantoul Street and make it a place that people will really want to walk. 4. Proposal to make Summit Avenue One Way Going North — Sgt. DiRuzza Page 1 of 4 Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission August 9, 2016 Sgt. DiRuzza explains that he received this request from Councilor Rand. He explains that this is the area of Summit and Cox Street and he has looked at this request. He states that it makes sense to make it one way and explains the area. Clausen states that it might be worth looking at the traffic impacts of making the street a one way. City Engineer Greg St. Louis agreed that it could be a one way street, noting that it is used as a bypass for Rantoul Street. Sgt. DiRuzza notes that there is parking allowed on one side of Cox Street and no parking on both sides of Summit Avenue. Clausen notes that there is nothing official from the City Council requesting this action and suggests that the Commission recommend that Councilor Rand go ahead and file a Council Order requesting that Summit Street be made a One Way going North. Binns: Motion to table the matter until the Parking and Traffic Commission receives a formal request from the City Council. Hutchinson seconds the motion. The motion carries (5 -0). 5. Request for On Street Parking on Matthies Street Clausen states that he thought that Councilor Lang and some of the neighbors were planning to attend the meeting this morning and they are not here but suggests that the Commission discuss the matter. Sgt. DiRuzza explains that he went down there a couple of times and states that he is not sure what the issue is that prompted the request. Clausen states that he went out there as well and explains that on the left side of the street heading towards McKay Street there is a No Parking sign 20 feet from McKay Street. He explains that there was a construction truck parked behind the sign at the time. He notes that if there is some parking on one side of the street, two way traffic would have to wait. Benevento questions if the road is wide enough. Clausen states that he really does not see an issue and notes that it is a very low traffic street. Clausen suggests that the Commission table the matter for further input from Councilor Lang. Binns: Motion to table the matter for further input from Councilor Lang. Page 2 of 4 Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission August 9, 2016 Hutchinson seconds the motion. The motion carries (6 -0). 6. Continued: Review of Reduest for Four -Way Stop Sign — Intersection of Echo Avenue and Matthies Street — Sgt. DiRuzza Benevento explains that the Commission reviewed this in 2008 and did a study of the area and a recommendation was made at the time that was never implemented by the City. He questions what the reason for the request is at this time. Sgt. DiRuzza explains that there are concerns about speeding and the use of the street as a cut through. St. Louis explains that recent construction in the area has also diverted a lot of traffic to that area. He notes that phases I and II of the construction is complete so there should be much less traffic detours to the area. Benevento notes that the MUTCD regulates four -way stop signs and suggests that those regulations be reviewed. He notes that the intent of a multi stop sign is not to control speeding or traffic calming and explains that the area must meet the warrant criteria and are usually used as a temporary measure. Sgt. DiRuzza reported that he looked at the accident data for the area and notes that there have been three accidents there in the last five years. Benevento states that this poses a liability problem if the Parking and Traffic Commission grants this request. He explains that there would be a liability if the stop sign doesn't meet the warrant requirements. He also states that he would recommend that the City replace any signs that are not in compliance. Benevento suggests that the Parking and Traffic Commission not recommend a four way stop sign at this time and that the City update the signage that the Commission recommended in 2008. Clausen will send a letter to the Public Services Department noting that the matter is before the Commission and the recommendation to update the signs. 7. Complete Streets Project Review — 2016 Beverly Street Paving Work Plan — Review of Page 3 of 4 Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission August 9, 2016 List of Street Paving and Construction Work for Summer and Fall of 2016 St. Louis reviews various areas of the City that have been repaved this summer and some of the work that is underway. No action by the Commission was taken. 8. New /Other Business — Scheduling Next Meeting and Setting Agenda, Discussion/ Recommendations on Parking and Traffic related complaints /issues /questions, potential City Ordinance Changes There is no new or other business. 9. Next Meeting The next meeting of the Parking and Traffic Commission will be held on September 6, 2016 at 8 30 a.m. 10. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Parking and Traffic Commission this morning, Binns moves to adjourn the meeting. Hutchinson seconds the motion. The motion carries (6 -0). The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 a.m. Page 4 of 4