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PTC Minutes 11 14 17Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes November 14, 2017 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: Parking and Traffic Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: November 14, 2017 LOCATION: Conference Room B Third Floor City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Richard Benevento, George Binns, John Somes, John Lozada, Sgt. Antonio DiRuzza, Police Department, and DPS Director Mike Collins MEMBERS ABSENT: City Planner Aaron Clausen, Captain Chris Holloran, Fire Department OTHERS PRESENT: Greg St. Louis, City Engineer, Councilor David Lang RECORDER: Eileen Sacco 1. Benevento calls the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. 2. Review Limited Park_ ing To One Side of Odell Street at the Request of Councilor Houseman Benevento reported that he went out and looked at the area and notes that restricted parking on the West side of the street from Whitney Avenue to Bertram would be appropriate. He further notes that there is no room for a sidewalk, and three -foot grass strip and trees. Lozada and Sgt. DiRuzza agree. Benevento suggests that the Commission could recommend restricted parking would be appropriate in the area. Binns: Motion to recommend restricted parking on the West side of Odell Street from Whitney Avenue to Bertram. Sgt. DiRuzza seconds the motion. The motion carries (6 -0). 3. City Council Order #531 — Elliott Street Traffic Light — Councilor Lane Councilor David Lang submitted Council Order #531 to the Beverly City Council for the review by the Parking and Traffic Commission of Elliott Street crosswalk near Starbucks. His concerns are regarding the flashing yellow light that turns red on demand when adults or children want to cross the street. Councilor Lang addresses the Commission and reports that there was recently a serious accident at this location and he feels that the blinking yellow light has made local drivers unaware when the light does not change as infrequent as it does. He requested that the Parking and Traffic Commission evaluate the area to increase safety. He notes that the Page 1 of 5 Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes November 14, 2017 traffic on a recent morning was similar to Bridge Street where the flashing red lights now alert drivers of nearby pedestrians and notes that it really seems to help and suggests that this could be a solution for Elliott Street as well. Benevento recalls that the Parking and Traffic Commission has reviewed this area many times and notes that the Cummings Center did a warrant analysis that resulted in a recommendation that the signal stay but is not warranted. He explains that in the 1990's the Marciano Company received approvals for a project for the site that included the traffic signal that was never developed and resulted in the renovation of the existing buildings. Mike Collins recalled that when the warrant was done they reversed the pedestrian light. Benevento suggests that the Commission could recommend removal of the signal and recommend the installation of a rapid flashing red light. Collins suggests that if we are going to do that he would recommend that the light be moved to Echo Avenue, noting that the present location is a tough spot to cross with three lanes of traffic. Lang reports that someone got hit in the crosswalk near Starbucks. DiRuzza reported that the pedestrian activated the light and the driver did not see her. He notes that the beacons with the lights get people's attention. Lang reports that the there are instances when people ignore the light. Collins notes that the flashers in Danvers are pedestrian activated and they had the same issue of people ignoring the light. Benevento states that there is a need for some enhancements of the light. Lang agreed noting that when there is a glare the flashing red light may draw attention. Collins states that he would be leery of making radical changes and suggests that we might be better off to try some additional signage and traffic enforcement. He also notes that distracted driving is also an issue. Lozada states that he worries about speeding. Benevento notes that this issue has been before the Parking and Traffic Commission several times over the last few years. Sgt. DiRuzza suggests that the City leave the traffic signal and put flashers in as well. Page 2 of 5 Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes November 14, 2017 Benevento notes that there are three driveways at the strip mall and suggests that we start with additional signage. He also notes that it has been suggested that an additional crosswalk could be put there. Collins states that he feels that the best solution is a stop light. Lang notes that he has had several complaints from constituents about people running the stop light. He notes that they don't see the light and it has been an issue for years. Lozada questions if cameras could be installed in the area to see what is happening with drivers and that driveway. Collins states that we do not really know what the problem is and what the fix is. Benevento states that the City should conduct a study to determine what should be there. He notes that there is a problem with that intersection with traffic and it is chaotic at the driveways. He suggests that Lang submit a Council order for a study of the intersection. Lang states that he is concerned that the study will cost more than the fix. Collins notes that they get similar complaints from other locations and notes that this a busy area with pedestrians and cars. He notes that his pushback is not that something is not needed, he just wants to be sure that what we do is effective, and this is a common problem in other areas of the City. Lozada suggests that the problem could be that there are too many entrances into the strip mall. Benevento recalls that the Cummings study determined that the signal is not needed and notes that it was not up to the Cummings Center to address the problem. Collins states that we may find simple things to address the problem. Somes states that he likes the idea of doing a study of the intersection and notes that the interior circulation of the strip mall needs a little help as well. Collins agrees that the issue deserves more research. Benevento suggests that the Commission review the Cummings study that was done a couple of years ago. Binns states that a study should be done to determine the traffic operations and pedestrian use. Collins suggests that if a study is done it should include McKay to Echo Avenue noting that crossing Elliott Street is an issue. Page 3of5 Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes November 14, 2017 Binns: Motion to recommend a study to improve traffic operations at Elliott, McKay and Echo and recommendations to improve safety and traffic operations. Somes seconds the motion. The motion carries (6 -0). 4. City Council Order #517 — Full Traffic Impact Study — Grover Street — Councilor Frates Benevento reviews Council Order #517 for a full traffic impact study on Grover Street as follows: 1. Request for a 4 way stop sign at the intersection of Middlebury Lane 2. Improving sight lines at the intersection of Thaxton as it relates to the height of privately owned stone walls at each corner 3. Installing sidewalks, berms and cutting back trees that collapse on the roadway during snow storms on the Dodge Street half that will mirror the work just completed on the Essex Street half. The order further notes that the area has grown exponentially in the last 30 plus years and Grover Street which was a safety hazard, decades ago needs a final solution. Benevento states that he would not approve a 4 way stop sign. He explains that the use of a 4 way stop is not intended to be a traffic calming measure by MUTCD. Collins agrees and notes that the road is designed for traffic calming. He also notes that the request for sidewalks and beans is a major capital project and would require further review and appropriation. Collins also notes that a study is not needed to control growth of shrubs and trees and if they are blocking sight lines or access they can be trimmed back. Collins also notes that the impediment of sight lines by stone walls would have to be further vetted by the neighbors if relocation is needed. Binns: Motion to recommend to the City Council that they have a discussion on the installation of sidewalk, berm and see if this is part of the City's Capital Improvement Plan as this is a narrow road that serves to calm traffic. Lozada seconds the motion. The motion carries (6 -0). 5. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the Parking and Traffic Commission meeting held on October 3, 2017, were presented for approval. Binns moved approval of the October 3, 2017 Parking and Traffic Commission minutes as presented. Lozada seconded the motion. The motion carried (6 -0) Page 4 of 5 Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes November 14, 2017 The minutes of the October 16, 2017 meeting were presented for approval. Benevento requested that the approval of these minutes be postponed to the next meeting in December. 6. Old/New Business There was no old /new business this morning. 7. Next Meeting The next meeting of the Parking and Traffic Commission will be held on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. 8. Adiournment There being no further business to come before the Parking and Traffic Commission this morning, Binns moves to adjourn the meeting. DiRuzza seconds the motion. The motion carries (6 -0). The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 a.m. Page 5 of 5