Loading...
PT Minutes 9 8 18Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission Draft Minutes September 8,2018 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES 1. 9 BOARD OR COMMISSION: Parking and Traffic Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: September 8, 2018 LOCATION: Conference Room B Third Floor City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Richard Benevento, City Planner Aaron Clausen, George Binns, Leslie Gould, Sgt. Antonio DiRuzza, Captain Chris Halloran, and DPS Director Mike Collins MEMBERS ABSENT: John Lozada OTHERS PRESENT: RECORDER: Eileen Sacco transcribed the recording of this meeting Benevento calls the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Approval of Minutes The approval of minutes was tabled. 3. Recommendation to the Planning Board: Proposed Amendment to Site Plan Application #138 -18 & Inclusionary Housing Permit Application #15 -18 — 268B Cabot Street, Overlook Cabot LLC Attorney Miranda Gooding addresses the Commission and explains that her client Overlook Cabot LLC is here this morning to request a recommendation to the Planning Board on their application for an amendment to their approved plan for 268B Cabot Street. Atty. Gooding explains that during the planning and finance stage of the project it was suggested that the project would be easier to finance if there were more units being developed in the project. She reviewed the approved plan and explained that the applicant is proposing to add two additional one - bedroom units to the basement of the property. She explains that there will be no change to the footprint of the building, Atty. Gooding explains that Mr. Lutts also owns the building across the street where the City Side Diner is located and they are proposing to provide 2 parking spaces for the additional units a 268B Cabot Street in the lot behind the building. Atty. Gooding explained that the applicant is presently before the Planning Board and scheduled to appear there this evening if the Parking and Traffic Commission supports a favorable recommendation. Page 1 of 6 Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission Draft Minutes September 8,2018 Benevento questions if the use of these parking spaces will displace something else. Atty. Gooding states that there is a dumpster in that location, and they intend to make arrangements with the tenants. Benevento states that his concern is that when this project was approved the applicant did not anticipate adding these units and now, they are proposing the units with parking that is shared with a dumpster and he feels that they are trying to cram too much into the proj ect. Atty. Gooding states that she understands but notes that the applicant is developing residential units in downtown Beverly without using municipal parking, noting that all parking for this project is provided on property owned by Mr. Lutts. City Planner Aaron Clausen stated that the problem is that these two spaces are not unobstructed as the use of them will need to be coordinated between the resident, the Diner and the Dumpster Company. He notes that he does not see these spaces as parking spaces. Atty. Gooding suggested that they could stipulate in the lease the conditions of the use of the spaces. Fire Captain Chris Halloran stated that there are no issues with Fire Access on the site with the spaces. George Binns states that he feels that the site is narrow and backing out could be a problem. Atty. Gooding suggested that they could add signage in the lot and make it clear to the tenants that parking shared with the dumpster use. M. Lutts suggested that he could looking to getting rolling dumpsters and have them picked up more often. Clausen explained that the dumpster is what make the space no usable for parking. He further explains that they are trying to make something happen that is not easy and notes that if the parking spaces in the back are inconvenient, the residents will park on the street. Benevento explains that the conflict with the proposal is that the spaces proposed are not dedicated for parking only and are proposed to be shared with a dumpster. Mr. Lutts states that he does not see what the problem is with sharing the spaces with a dumpster noting that the dumpster is empties once in a while. Page 2 of 6 Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission Draft Minutes September 8,2018 Clausen explains that there are other things to consider such as damage to personal property if a car gets damaged etc. He also notes that every project gets reviewed and there are guidelines that the Commission uses regarding parking spaces. Atty. Gooding suggested that they could request that the matter be continued by the Commission and the Planning Board. Mr. Lutts expressed his concern that they are on a timeline for the construction to begin. Benevento states that he is willing to act on something reasonable, but he cannot support this. Mr. Lutts suggested that he would work with the owners of the Diner and the Dumpster Company. Benevento explains that the conflict is because the spaces are not dedicated parking spaces because they are shared with the dumpster. Clausen motion that the Parking and Traffic Commission could make a recommendation to the Planning Board that the PTC agrees to this amendment to the approved plan for 268B Cabot Street if the parking proposed for the units is dedicated for the use of the two additional units and that the parking is unobstructed and available to the tenants at all times. Binns seconds the motion. The motion carries (6 -0). 4. 130 Sohier Road: Review a Request by Self Storage, LLC to Reconsider Cross Walk Required Per Condition of Previously pproved Site Plan Attorney Miranda Gooding and Bob Griffin are present for the applicant. Bob Griffin addresses the Parking and Traffic Commission and explained the design of the crosswalk that the Commission conditioned in their approval. He stated that they found it to be more complicated than the Commission may have envisioned. He explained that the topography of the site and the need to do some of the work on the North Ridge property make it complicated and more costly that they thought. He stated that they are requesting relief from the condition. Benevento asks Griffin if he thinks there are any options. Griffin stated he feels that this is a city project and explained that the people who will be accessing the Storage Facility will be driving cars and trucks etc., and the City should be installing a crosswalk, Atty. Gooding addressed the Commission and stated that she was under the impression at the time that since there was no design presented for the condition it was understood that if the work exceeded the expectation of work and cost that it would be revisited. Page 3 of 6 Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission Draft Minutes September 8,2018 Clausen states that he is not in favor of removing this condition at this time. He notes that he understands their concerns but notes that it doesn't look like a big job. Griffin explains the design of the Crosswalk and the areas of concern to the applicant. Benevento asks if they are doing any off -site improvements. Griffin explains that they are installing new sidewalks where needed on Sohier Road in the front of the building and notes the areas on the plan. Collins stated that the proposed crosswalk is about as much work as he thought it would be but suggested that they could maybe use bituminous concrete instead of concrete for the crosswalk. Binns stated that he could agree to bituminous blacktop noting it is less costly. He also suggested that the City should facilitate cooperation from North Ridge for access to their property for the work to be done for the crosswalk. Aaron Clausen stated that the City has applied for a Mass Works Grant for redesign work in that area and have included this crosswalk in the grant application. He estimated that they should hear about the grant in two or three weeks and if that grant is approved by the state the applicant will be relived of this condition. He further noted that in his opinion the condition should stay in place at this time. Atty. Gooding addressed the Commission and stated that the news of the grant is good news and questioned if there is anyway that the Commission add a condition that North Ridge will cooperate with them on the construction that needs to be done on their property. Clausen states that he could agree to that. Binns: motion to deny the request for relief from the condition regarding the installation of a crosswalk on Sohier Road and that they applicant be allowed to use Bituminous Concrete for the crosswalk and that the City will facilitate the cooperation of North Ridge for access to their property for construction of the crosswalk, and if the Mass Works Grant is approved the applicant is relieved of this condition. Clausen seconds the motion. The motion carried (5 -0) Page 4 of 6 Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission Draft Minutes September 8,2018 S. New / Other Business Sidewalks on Rantoul Street Benevento reported that he received and email from Mr. Lozada who was unable to be here this morning that he is concerned about the sidewalk access on Rantoul Street due to the construction at the former Kelly Ford site. Clausen reported that advanced signage has been installed and the sidewalk access is fine. Parking Concerns Councilor Frates was present at the meeting with Stephanie Bilotti, Director of Constituent Services with a list of parking issues she is working on and one of which is Webster Avenue and the existence of a 15 minute parking sign that does not seem to have a need. Clausen explains that they should research it and see if it is an ordinance and if it is no longer needed, Councilor Frates can file an ordinance change through the City Council. Public Comment Myron Hood addressed the Commission and expressed his concerns about the lot lines of the new Middle School and the distance from the wetlands and the parking practices of the Campbell Funeral Home for parking on side streets around their business during funerals. Adjournment Binns: Motion to adjourn the meeting. Clausen seconds the motion. The motion carries (5 -0). Page 5 of 6 Beverly Parking and Traffic Commission Draft Minutes September 8,2018 The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 a.m. Page 6 of 6