Draft PTC Minutes 9 6 16Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission
September 6, 2016
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
1.
BOARD OR COMMISSION: Parking and Traffic Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: September 6, 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, George Binns,
John Somes
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chris Halloran, Sgt. Antonio DiRuzza
OTHERS PRESENT: Greg St. Louis, City Engineer, Ward One City Councilor
David Lang, Steve Tanzella
RECORDER: Eileen Sacco
Clausen calls the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
2. Request Regarding Street Parking on Matthies Street
Clausen notes that Councilor David Lang is present this morning to address the Parking
and Traffic Commission on the request concerning on street parking on Matthies Street.
Councilor Lang reported that he has not had many calls lately regarding this matter and
explains that there was a constituent that called who was concerned about a truck that was
parked on the corner and it was difficult to get by. He notes that the woman's daughter was
learning to drive at the time and he feels that prompted her concern. Lang notes that he has
been by there several times and even if there was a truck parked in that location the sight
lines should be fine.
Benevento notes that there should be no parking 20 feet from the intersection. He also
notes that before the Parking and Traffic Commission could make a recommendation the
neighbors need to be polled to see if they would be in agreement with the change. He notes
that sometimes a solution is not acceptable to all of the neighbors.
Clausen suggests that the City could install a sign that says "No Parking Here to Corner."
Benevento asks Lang if he wants to cancel the City Council Order. Lang states that the
matter has taken a lot of time of the Commission and he suspects that the concerns may
have blown over and suggests that the Commission take no action at this time. He thanked
the Commission for their time and work on this matter.
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3. Recommendation to Planning Board: Modifications to Special Permit Application
#148 -16 and Site Plan Review Application #119 -16 (approved 2/9/16) — Krohne, Inc.,
55 Cherry Hill Drive
Atty. Thomas Alexander with offices at 1 School Street, Beverly, MA addresses the
Commission and explains that the Commission approved this Special Permit and Site Plan
Review application for Krohne, Inc. in February. He explains that they have now filed for
a modification of the approved site plan and special permit to demolish the existing
building and construct a new facility containing approximately 65,000 s.f of
manufacturing space, 23,000 s.f of office space and 10,000 s.f of storage and to allow for
the deviation from off street parking requirements.
Atty. Alexander explains that the request for the Special Permit is to allow for the deviation
from off street parking requirements to allow for 164 parking spaces where 265 are
required and to allow three entrances where two are allowed.
Atty. Alexander notes that the number of employees at the facility will be the same as the
original proposal for 110 employees.
Atty. Alexander explains the parking requirements noting that they provide 1.08 parking
spaces per employee currently at their location in Peabodyand the parking they are
proposing for this site is 1.59 spaces per employee which exceeds the required parking by
55 spaces.
Atty. Alexander reviews the site plan and explains that they are proposing three (3)
entrances for the site to allow for better flow of traffic for deliveries on the site.
Atty. Alexander also notes that they are proposing a separate office building that will
traverse to connect to the second building. He notes that the Fire Department needs 12 feet
of clearance for the fire truck.
Clausen explains that he reviewed the site plan and explains that they were shooting for
13.6 feet of clearance for the Fire Department requirements.
Benevento states that the prior approval of the Commission included the extension of the
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Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission
September 6, 2016
sidewalks across the front of the property, bike racks and for the applicant to encourage
alternative transportation options for the employees and questions if they are still part of
the plan. Atty. Alexander reports that they are still included in the plan.
Benevento notes that the proposed modification will result in more construction on the site
and asks if there has been any thought given to the traffic. He also states that they should
keep all construction materials on site and he does not want to see mud tracked all over
Cherry Hill Drive.
Steve Connolly of Connolly Brothers Construction addresses the Commission and states
that he is doing a project up the street for another building and he will also be doing the
construction for this project and explains that they have procedures for cleaning vehicles at
the end of each day.
Clausen suggests that they provide larger stones on the site to knock off excess dirt from
the vehicles leaving the site.
Benevento states that he would like to verify the turning radius's for the site noting that it
looks tight to him. He states that he does not want to hold the project up and suggests that
Clausen include them in the next RTC packets. He notes that he wants to be sure that the
tractor trailers using the site have proper access.
Peter Ogren of Hayes Engineering addresses the Commission and reviews the auto turns
for the site.
Clausen states that there is the capability for another 20 parking spaces on the site if
necessary and notes that it is just a comment noting the location on the site if needed for
potential future growth.
Connolly explains that the detention basin and the infiltration plan is included in the packet.
He explains that the previous storm water management plan was based on much larger
events and were required by DER Ogren reviews the elevations for the site.
Binns asks how many shifts of work will be held at the site. Atty. Alexander states that
they will have one shift during the day.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter:
Binns: Motion to approve the modification to the Special Permit and the Site Plan
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Review for Krohne, Inc., 55 Cherry Hill Drive. Clausen seconds the
motion. The motion carries (6 -0).
4. Review of Citv Council Order #160 — One Wav Traffic Patterns on Russell &
Kittredge Streets / Ward Three Councilor James Latter
Clausen reports that City Council Order #160 calls for the Parking and Traffic
Commission to examine the one way traffic patterns on Russell and Kittredge Streets and
that they make recommendations for improvement to the City Council.
Clausen notes that the Councilor Latter submitted this order at the request of a constituent
and notes that a new island is being installed as part of the Rt. I A improvement project.
He explains that the concern was whether a left turn out of Kittredge Street would not be
allowed. He reported that this is not the case.
City Engineer Greg St. Louis reported that he met with Councilor Latter and explains that
there was also a concern that people were making a turn out of Russell to head to North
Beverly. He states that they will be fast tracking some signage that is schedule to be
installed to clarify the situation, He also notes that the Dairy Queen may need a sign
inidicating the entrance as he has witnessed people going in the wrong way.
Benevento asks if the owner of Dairy Queen is upset about this. St. Louis states that he
has not heard from the owner of Dairy Queen.
Benevento states that that the location for the sign at Kittredge Street should be at the
corner of the street on a pole. He also states that he is not in favor of anymore one way
signs at Kittredge Street.
Benevento will reach out to Councilor Latter and see if he would be in favor of these
suggestions.
No action was taken.
5. New /Other Business — Scheduling Next Meeting and Setting Agenda, Discussion/
Recommendations on Parking and Traffic related complaints /issues /questions,
potential City Ordinance Changes
Binns asks what the status of the cross walk on Essex and Pratt Street is. Clausen
reported that Mike Collins is aware of it and the letter was sent to him two weeks ago.
Sgt. DiRuzza reported that there have been no issues with the new traffic pattern at the
Centerville School since school opened last week. Clausen states that more teachers need
to park in the back lot.
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Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission
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Mr. Salt addresses the Commission and expresses his concern about how dangerous it is
for kids to ride bikes to school. He notes that a lot of kids ride bikes to Beverly High
School and states that the traffic and congestion on Brimbal Avenue is dangerous for the
students. St. Louis reported that yellow lines and sharrows will be painted on the street
and that should be done this year.
Salt reviews areas that are dangerous areas noting Brimbal, Colon, Dodge, Conant, Essex
Street and the Standley Street construction. Clausen states that he will check with Mike
Collins on the status of the striping projects.
Benevento reported that Rod Emery is looking at the timing on Elliott Street as part of the
Cummings Center project approval to optimize the timing of the lights from Starbucks to
Rantoul Street. He states that Emery is going to set up a meeting and Benevento states
that he is gong to try to attend. He also notes that the removal of the light at Starbucks is
not the responsibility of the Cummings Center.
Binns asks what the process is to remove a traffic light. Clausen states that a letter would
need to be sent to the Beverly City Council and a public hearing would have to be held
and it needs to be determined if the light meets the warrant. He also states that they
would need the permission of the state. He further notes that he thinks that optimizing
the timing of the light may take care of the problem. He also notes that a warrant was not
done in conjunction with the recommendations for this light.
Beneveneto suggests that Emery should get a warrant done.
Tanzella of the Fire Department states that he has seen people crossing at that light often
to get from Fairweather to go to the White Hen Pantry.
Clausen agrees and states that they need to look at the pedestrian use of the light before
making any recommendations to remove the light.
6. Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Parking and Traffic Commission will be held on October 4, 2016
at 8:30 a.m.
7. 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.
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