HomeMy Public PortalAbout385 Pleasant Street_Transportation Letter_8 Nov 2017ROBERT E McLAUGHLIN, SR
JOHN B. SHEVLIN, JR
VOWAM F YORK
DAVID L KLEBANOFF
ROBERT E MORAN`
LEIGH A. MCLAUGHLIN
ROBERT E. McLAUGHLIN. JR
JOHN G HOFMANN
JOSHUA D KLEBANOFF
'ALSO NH
GILMAN, McLAUGHLIN & HANRAHAN LLP
COUNSELLORS AT LAW
101 MERRIMAC STREET
P.O. BOX 9601
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02114-9601
TELEPHONE (617) 227-9999
FACSIMILE (617) 227-7177
www.gilmac.com
WALTER H. McLAUGHLIN, SR
(1931-1994)
November 7, 2017
Via Email
Gerald S. Mee, Jr., Superintendent
Matthew T. Shuman, P.E. Town Engineer
Watertown Department of Public Works
12 Orchard Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Re: Proposed Mixed —Use Development
385 Pleasant Street, Watertown
Dear Mr. Mee and Mr. Shuman:
OF COUNSEL
DAVID G. HANRAHAN
MICHAEL EBY
DONNA E COHEN
C BRENDAN NOONAN. III
Work@ailmac.com
Direct Dial- 617-371-0433
Pursuant to our meeting of earlier today, I am submitting, on behalf of the property owner
Amstel Heritage Watertown, LLC, a summary of the traffic mitigation measures committed to in
relation to the redevelopment of the site.
1. Intersection Improvement:
(a) Provide back of queue detection at the Pleasant Street & Bridge Street
intersection for vehicle queues over the bridge to prevent these queues
from spilling back into the Pleasant Street intersection. Subject to Town
determination of structural viability and conformance of mastarms to
accommodate such equipment; and
(b) Evaluate and replace existing "doghouse" signal heads for protected plus
permitted movements at the Pleasant Street at Bridge Street and Pleasant
Street at Rosedale Road intersections with 4-section signal head
containing flashing yellow arrow indications. Subject to Town
determination of structural viability and conformance of mastarms to
accommodate such equipment; and
(c) An evaluation of intersection capacity improvements at Pleasant/Bridge
intersection has been conducted and provided to the Town.
2. Pleasant Street Pedestrian Crosswalk: A new signalized pedestrian
crosswalk is proposed on the west side of the Pleasant Street/Rosedale Road
intersection that connects the community pocket park and pathway to the new
Greenway connection at Water Mills. The crosswalk will be designed to meet
current ADA requirements with major features that include sidewalk
reconstruction, accessible ramps with tactile warning strips, pedestrian
pushbutton activated indicators, and modification of striping on Pleasant
Street. Proposed signal improvements to be implemented by others (Water
Mills developer) include replacing in -pavement detector loops with video
detection (Iteris cameras) which are assumed to be in place prior to
implementation of the crosswalk improvements.
3. Community Pocket Park and Pathway: The Applicant proposes
development of a public use park and pathway along the easterly portion of
the Site that will serve as a gateway to the Greenway along the Charles River
as well as the Pleasant Street north and south sidewalks. The park and
pathway will be located along a primary "desire line" to a new pedestrian and
bicycle connection to the Greenway that is being built as part of the Water
Mills at Bridge Point development opposite the Site. The design shall also
provide a "rain garden" drainage feature within the pocket park consistent
with the goals of the Town.
4. Transportation Demand Management and TMA: The Applicant proposes
a TDM program that complies with the recently adopted Town Ordinance No.
31 (An Ordinance Establishing Requirements for Transportation Demand
Management Plans, Watertown City Council dated May 9, 2017) to meet or
exceed a minimum of 14 points based on the Towns point system and 20%
reduction in single occupant vehicle (SOV) use over time. The Proponent
agrees to participate in the formation and maintenance of a Watertown
Transportation Management Association (TMA), including financial
contributions in a proportionate share for both TMA membership and
provision of on -going services, including shuttle service along the Pleasant
Street corridor. Specific TDM program elements are identified in the October
4, 2017 TDM program.
Thank you for your attention.
Very truly yours,
William F. York
WFY:jcp
Cc: Department of Community Development and Planning
Amstel Heritage Watertown, LLC
Robert Michaud, P.E.