PTC Minutes 5 8 18Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission
Minutes
May 8,2018
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION:
Parking and Traffic Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
May 8, 2018
LOCATION:
Conference Room B Third Floor City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chair Richard Benevento, City Planner Aaron Clausen,
George Binns, John Lozada, Sgt. Antonio DiRuzza,
Captain Chris Halloran, and DPS Director Mike Collins
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
OTHERS PRESENT:
Lisa Chandler, Staff Engineer, Councilor David Lang
RECORDER:
Eileen Sacco
1. Benevento calls the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m
2. Approval of Minutes March 6, 2018 and April 3, 2018
The approval of the minutes to the Parking and Traffic Commission meeting held on
March 6, 2018 and April 3, 2018 were tabled to the next meeting in June.
3. County Way — Discussion with Councilor Lane and Neighbors
Clausen explains that the Parking and Traffic Commission has reviewed this matter over
the last three months and has made some recommendations in the hopes of lessening the
problems. He explains that the current parking restrictions on Bridge Street serve no
purpose and the Commission recommended removing the restrictions. He also notes that
they recommend that a No Parking Here to Corner on County Way and Northern Avenue
be installed. He also notes that there is no legal space to park between the driveway on
the east side of County Way and the No Parking Here to Corner would ensure that people
are not parking too close to the driveway.
Clausen explains that the Commission needs to submit an ordinance to the City Council
for the removal of the parking restrictions and that needs to be done.
John Silvio states that it is difficult to make a left turn out of County Way because the
line of sight is blocked by the cars parked there.
Benevento states that the Commission has identified a couple of extra parking space to
address the problem and made recommendations as well but notes that if people are
parking too close to the intersection that it an enforcement issue. Sgt. DiRuzza states that
the police have been down there at various times.
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Mike Collins states that he went out there and looked at this and agreed that if the cars are
not parked there it is easier to see oncoming traffic when making the left turn.
Silvio addresses the Commission and noted that snow banks are an issue in the winter
with that corner as well. He also notes that the intersection of Northern Ave. and County
Way is not 90 degrees. He also notes that people do not stop at the stop sign. He notes
that people pull out without stopping to see what is coming at that corner.
Councilor Lang states that he does not want the Commission to rush to solve this noting
that he thinks a site visit would be helpful. He states that if we add parking spaces they
will impede the already difficult sight distances that are there now.
Benevento states that if we take some parking away they will find somewhere else to
park. He states that there needs to be a compromise airing on the side of safety.
Silvio shows the Commission photos of the illegally parked cars. Sgt. DiRuzza suggests
that when there are cars parked there they should call the police station. Silvio states that
he did and two cruisers drove by.
Clause explains that the No Parking Here to Corner signs will prevent the parking to the
corner. He also notes that parking across the street will not be a problem if the cars are
not parking on the other side of the street.
Collins notes that it is difficult for the police to enforce parking if there is no signage.
Lozado suggested that the Salon provide valet parking for their customers.
Benevento explains that the salon would have to be willing to do that as the Commission
cannot impose that.
Benevento asks if people in the neighborhood park where we are considering removing
the spaces, specifically if they are in front of their homes, noting he would be concerned
about impacting them, noting that if we restrict parking, it is restricted for everyone.
Lang states that he thinks that one of the houses has a driveway on both sides of the
house.
It was noted that the neighborhood will gain 3 -4 parking spaces near the gas station
when the road is redone. Clausen explains that it is illegal to park in front of a curb cut
which is what is there now and that work will be taking place later in the year.
Benevento suggests that Collins take a look and make a recommendation as to where the
signage should be installed. He also notes that the Commission needs to determine if an
ordinance change is needed to restrict parking.
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Benevento questions if the Salon owner has been notified that illegally parked cars will
be ticketed and or towed. Lang states that he has discussed the situation with one of the
owners.
Silvio reported that there are also issues with parking blocking the fire hydrant. He
further notes that there is no handicapped parking space marked.
Sgt. DiRuzza encouraged the neighbors to call the police station to report violations and
parking issues.
Benevento agreed noting that blocking a fire hydrant has to be enforced.
Benevento notes that Collins will work on this and thanked the neighbors for attending
the meeting, noting that the Commission meetings are normally held on the first Tuesday
of the month at 8:30 a.m. and the Commission has scheduled a couple of night meetings.
4. Doane Avenue and Bridge Street Intersection — Sgt. DiRuzza
Sgt. DiRuzza reported that there was a bad accident at this intersection recently and notes
that the No Parking Here to Corner sign is faded.
Collins reports that you can't see beyond the corner due to cars parked there. He
suggested that the homeowner be contacted about parking on the street. He notes that he
thinks that they have a driveway.
Sgt. DiRuzza recommended that the No Parking Here to Corner sign be moved further in.
Benevento suggests that the Commission should recommend that parking be eliminated
there but he would like to check with the homeowner first.
DiRuzza notes that the sign needs to be replaced because it is faded. Benevento agrees
and suggests that the sign be replaced, and the homeowner contacted for input and that
we keep an eye on it, noting that he would not want to restrict parking until the
homeowner is contacted.
Halloran suggests that the Commission review the accident data for the area as well.
5. Preliminary Proiect Review for Site Plan Review — 130 Sohier Road — Attorney
Miranda Gooding on behalf of Sohier Road Self Storage, LLC
Attorney Miranda Gooding addresses the Commission and notes that she is joined this
evening by Robert Griffin the Engineer for the project and Eric Loiacano.
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Atty. Gooding explains that 130 Sohier Road is situated in the IR Zoning District and is
currently improved with an indoor recreational building housing Soccer, Etc. and the
Roller Palace. The proposed redevelopment will convert the existing structure into a two -
story building containing approximately 118,953 SF of mini - storage space on two floors,
along with 4,096 SF of ground floor office space; the project will also add an additional
one -story 12,600 SF building containing additional storage units designed for drive -up
access.
Atty. Gooding explains that the project was submitted to the Planning Board yesterday
for Site Plan Review and a Special Permit to reduce the number of required parking
spaces for the site. She also notes that the applicant has had a preliminary project review
with city staff and department heads and the reduced parking was discussed. She noted
that the mini storage use will result in less parking for the site than the current use.
Benevento asks what the number of required parking spaces are by zoning. Atty.
Gooding reported that 67 spaces are required, and they are proposing 50 spaces. She
explains that 23 of the spaces would be for the mini storage where 50 would be required.
Robert Griffin addresses the Commission and explains that they will be adding a one -
story addition on the top of the existing building. He reviews an aerial photo of the area
and notes the location of the site.
Griffin explains that they will be maintaining the existing entrance on Sohier Road and
notes that they will make it narrower to make it safer.
Griffin states that they are proposing more than enough parking for this use noting that
the owner has another storage facility with 400 units and there is no long -term parking
required. He also explains that the storage building will have garage doors to access the
units and people will drive up, access their units and drop and drive.
Benevento asks if the proposed office space is part of the operation of the storage facility.
Griffin explains that there will be 4,100 s.f. of space for a Real Estate office and a small
area for the administration of the storage facility.
Benevento questions what is there to prevent the real estate office from becoming
something else with a different use that would require more parking.
Clausen explains that if there are any changes to the building layout or the use of the
building they would have to come back to the Planning Board for an amendment to the
approved plan.
Atty. Gooding reported that they are going to the Zoning Board for a special permit as
well.
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Griffin notes that they have proposed more parking than they will need, noting that the
use and the building are very specific.
Atty. Gooding states that when they came in with the plan it had conforming parking and
notes that this parking proposal has a better conformity.
Benevento asks if there is any land banked for additional parking on the site if needed.
Benevento states that he would like to see data to support that the reduced parking makes
sense. He also notes that he doesn't think that it takes the Cummings Center into
account.
Griffin explains that there is 500 feet in each direction noting that there are two
driveways and one of them is offset from the North Ridge Driveway so people waiting to
make a left turn into the storage facility and North Ridge will have to think about it.
Benevento suggests that the plantings shown may impede sight distances. He also
expressed concerns about signage placement noting that there is a sign proposed for one
way truck traffic on top of a left turn only sign on the same post with a stop sign at the
entrance. Griffin explains that there will be no left turn for trucks noting that some would
be turning into the other lane.
Benevento notes that his comments were something to think about. He also questions
how they will enforce the turn being restricted.
Clausen states that they had considered combining the two curb cuts but that would align
the opening with the North Ridge driveway. Griffin also noted that the topography
would not work because the grade drops off. He also notes that they do not want trucks
to turn right.
Lozada questions what will be stored in the facility. Griffin explains that household
items will be stored there.
Halloran states that the fire access looks fine noting that the smallest point looks like it's
22 feet at the corner.
Griffin notes that they are adding a new section of sidewalk and notes the location on the
plan.
Clausen asks if there will be any crosswalks installed. Griffin explains that they are
recommending a crosswalk near the North Shore (Crossing ?)Consortium.
Collins explains that the existing sidewalk at Reservoir Road is three feet higher than the
(road ?) sidewalk. Benevento states that he would like to see some way to continue the
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sidewalk, so pedestrians can safely get across the street. He suggests possibly squaring
off the entrance with the North Ridge entrance.
Griffin explains that the developer has another storage facility and notes that cars pull up
along side of the building, access the site and move on. He notes that the road will be
one way around the back and two way on the northern side of the building.
Benevento states that he would like to see the data to be sure.
Clausen states that ITE has some data that he will request that might help quantify it with
actual usage. He also notes that they talked about pulling one of the buildings back, but
they would lose four units.
Benevento suggests that the Commission continue this to the June 5 th meeting, so the
Commission can review the data requested. Collins recommends that they look at
squaring up the driveways.
6. Roadway Work for Upcoming Construction Season
Collins reported that the roadway work schedule is in flux as of now.
Benevento asks if the Complete Streets policy will be taken into consideration, so it can
be fully implemented.
Collins reported that they will be restriping the bike lanes where necessary and sidewalks
will be repaired. He notes that they just rebuilt the sidewalks on Grover Street. He also
notes that they take every opportunity they get to restripe and formalize the road structure
for bike lanes.
Collins reported that MA DOT is repaving all of Route lA from the Wenham Line to
Henry's. He notes that they are skipping the Henry's intersection because they will be
redoing that intersection. He notes that the paving will continue down Cabot to Balch
Street.
Collins reviews his suggestions for bike lanes and notes the areas where paving markings
will be for them.
Clausen suggests that the Commission take another look at the plan to formalize it and
see what it will look like. Collins will send Clausen a list of streets and suggests that the
Commission review it at the next meeting.
Neil Stanton on the Beverly Bike Committee addressed the Commission and noted that
he likes the recommendations he heard and thinks the plan is great. He notes that the
Bike Committee is concerned about safety.
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Benevento states that to the extent that they can, the City tries to do things in house,
noting that they are aware that throughout the City popular bike routes need markings.
7. New / Other Business
Webber and River Streets
Sgt. DiRuzza reported that he received an email from Councilor Estelle Rand regarding
Webber Street and River Street, noting poor visibility coming out of Webber Street.
Benevento asks if there is any history of accidents at the site. Sgt. DiRuzza states that he
went out to the site and did not see any issues. He states that he will check accident data
before the next meeting.
Federal Street
Benevento reports that he feels that the light at Federal Street is very long and suggests it
needs to be looked at. Collins agrees and states that he does not think that the detectors
are working properly or at all. He notes that they tweaked the cameras a little.
Discussion on Parking Gloucester Crossing
Binns reported that cars are parking on both sides of the street in front of the restaurants.
He also notes that the bagel place has closed.
8. Next Meeting
The Commission confirmed that the next meeting of the Parking and Traffic Commission
will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 8:30 a.m.
Adjournment
Binns: Motion to adjourn the meeting. Clausen seconds the motion. The motion
carries (7 -0).
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
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