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PTC May MinutesBeverly Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes May 2, 2017 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: Parking and Traffic Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: May 2, 2017 LOCATION:. Conference Room B Third Floor City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair, Richard Benevento, City Planner Aaron Clausen, Vice Chair, John Lozada, Antonio DiRuzza, George Binns MEMBERS ABSENT: John Somes, Capt. Halloran OTHERS PRESENT: Greg St. Louis, City Engineer RECORDER: Aaron Clausen 1. Benevento calls the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. 2. Re guest to Review: Traffic Safety on Eastern Avenue / Request by Ward One Councilor David Land Benevento noted that he had visited the street and noted that there is a site distance challenge due to a fairly steep incline traveling northbound from Bridge Street towards the intersection to Northern Ave. He pointed out that the angle of the intersection at Bridge Street, and a fairly long pedestrian crossing at the intersection will create pedestrian conflicts. Benevento went on to reiterate the fact made at the last meeting that the City is working the reconstruction of the Bridge Street corridor, and is currently advancing design plans through the transportation improvement plan (TIP) with the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). He noted the designs will be to Complete Street standards, meaning the street will be designed to accommodate all users and will incorporate traffic calming measures. He noted that as part of the design for Bridge and Eastern Ave. there will be a curb extension to help reduce the pedestrian crossing and will help slow cars turning onto Eastern Ave. from Bridge. Particularly cars heading westbound on Bridge making a right turn onto Eastern Ave. Benevento pointed out that the City Council recently amended the traffic ordinance to reduce speed limits in thickly settled areas, where streets don't otherwise have an established speed limit determined by a special speed study. This means that the speed limit on Eastern Ave. is now 25 miles per hour (mph). Benevento cautioned that no matter what speed limit is posted, or signage, or other design interventions there are always going to be a small segment of drivers that will speed dawn the street. As a transportation engineer one tries to design to discourage that behavior but sometimes the best design won't always prevent speeding. Page 1 of 4 Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes May 2, 2017 Clausen followed up noting he too drove the street and noticed that same issues raised by Benevento. In particular he noted the site distance and pedestrian crossing as a challenge at the Bridge Street intersection. Clausen also agreed that the redesigned intersection at Bridge would help slow traffic, at least as cars make a turn onto the street, and would be a significant improvement for pedestrians. Clausen also noted that when he visited the street that cars parked on the street were all parked on with wheels on the sidewalk starting at the top of the hill heading north towards Northern Ave. He pointed out that this essentially widens the street thereby encouraging cars to drive faster, stating that the narrower the street drivers typically drive more slowly. Parking on the sidewalk also impedes pedestrian use of the sidewalk. He noted that the curbing is currently sloped bituminous curb and in the future when the City repaves he would recommend replacing with vertical granite curb to prevent vehicles from parking on the sidewalk. Clausen noted that the Mayor has made it a priority from a traffic safety perspective to focus on enforcement of traffic regulations, most specifically speeding. He stated that the change in speed limit and the focus on enforcement should help. He indicated that other than enforcement and the planned adjustments to the Bridge Street intersection he would not recommend any other changes proposed such as making the street one -way, or creating travel restrictions during certain hours of the day. Councilor Lang expressed appreciation for the Commission to take the time to review the situation. He noted that he understands the residents concerns, but also understands implementing any significant changes to the street are not necessarily feasible or optimal. He agreed that the Bridge Street project could be helpful and asked that the City continue to advance those plans quickly so the project could move forward soon. The rest of the Commission members agreed that no other recommendations would be offered at this time. 3. Review and Approval — Traffic Management Plan for 112 Rantoul Street (10IBTA parcel): The Commission will review the proposed Traffic Management Plan as a condition of the site plan and special permit approval. Baniat began by introducing Ben Coulehan (NEI Construction) construction contractor and Richard O'Dwyer the owner's project manager. Barnat followed with a brief overview of the development project. She noted that they have submitted the building permit and where hoping the building permit would be issued in the near teen. She was targeting the middle of June to begin construction. Benevento jumped in thanking Ms. Barnat for the summary but in the interest of time wanted to get to the topic of the Traffic Management Plan (TMP), He indicated that the plans submitted for review were not sufficient, He stated that the Commission had spent a significant an - iount of time and effort to help the project applicant to understand the standards and plan details needed to satisfy the condition. He went on to note that the Commission isn't trying to create any unnecessary work and reiterated that a past Page 2 of 4 Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes May 2, 2017 construction project staging in the street in Rantoul and not provided adequate signage and advance notice and resulted in an accident. The Commission's intent in requiring and complete (TMP) to MassDOT design standards was to ensure that traffic and pedestrians could move safely along Rantoul Street, and by the site, during construction. He appreciated that the plans show how pedestrians and constructions vehicles can get to and through the site, but the Commission's primary concern was ensuring traffic and pedestrians on the public street were safe. Barnat agreed and indicated that the plans provided were developed by NET, the project contractor, as part of the review and approval process with the META and that she would be working with the traffic engineering firm to update those plans to be consistent with MassDOT standards as referenced by the Commission. Clausen agreed that the main focus is to ensure safe travel during construction and noted that his main concern was during Phase B of construction when there is a shift in lanes on Rantoul Street. He indicated all three phases should show all barriers and signage consistent with MassDOT standards. He also confirmed that two way travel would remain during Phase B even though the travel lanes would shift to accommodate the construction crane. Lozada also noted that the objective is to ensure safety during construction and noted that pedestrians need to be safely accommodated during construction. He reiterated the need to have adequate TMP reviewed and approved before construction started. DiRuzza confirmed pedestrian crossing locations with the project applicant. Barnat described and showed on the plan where the crossings would be located. He also agreed updated plans should be provided. Barnat confirmed that that would be the case and indicated there would be parking removed on each side during this phase but traffic would continue in both directions. Coulehan noted that they have been granted 50 parking spaces in the parking garage to minimize parking impact on the street during construction. Clausen noted that the building permit could be issued conditionally requiring the conditions related to the Commission's recommendation will need to be addressed prior to the beginning of construction. Clausen: Motion to continue the item to the next Parking and Traffic Commission meeting where a revised TMP to MassDOT standards will be reviewed for approval. Binns seconds the motion. Motion carries (5 -0). 4. New /Other Business — Scheduling Next Meeting and Setting Agenda, Discussion/ Recommendations on Parking and Traffic related complaints /issues /questions, Potential City Ordinance Changes Councilor Lang summarized a request to review whether or not a pedestrian crossing could be placed across Elliott Street in the vicinity of Echo Ave. to provide safer pedestrian Page 3 of 4 Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes May 2, 2017 connection from the neighborhood north of Elliott to the shopping plaza on the south side of Elliott Street. In particular he noted that he has observed a number of families with young children trying to cross the street to get to the ice cream shop located west of the intersection with Green Street. Clausen indicated that he would need to visit the area to better understand what is going one before offering a recommendation. Benevento suggested that Commission members take the time to visit the site prior to the next meeting so they could discuss in more detail. All Commission members agreed and supported discussing the item further during the next meeting. 8. Approval of Minutes — February 7 2017 The minutes of the Parking and Traffic Commission meetings held on February 7, 2017 were presented for approval. Binns moved approval. Clausen. The motion carries (4 -0), Lozada abstaining. Approval of Minutes — April 4, 2017 The minutes of the Parking and Traffic Commission meetings held on April 4, 2017 were presented for approval. The Commission continued the item so all members could review before approving. 11. Next Meeting The next meeting of the Parking and Traffic Commission will be held on June 13, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. 12. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Parking and Traffic Commission this morning, Binns moves to adjourn the meeting. Lozada seconds the motion. The motion carries (5 -0). The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m. Page 4 of 4