Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAboutTraffic Commission Meeting Minutes May 2016TOWN OF WATERTOWN TRAFFIC COMMISSION Michael P. Lawn Chief of Police Michael P. Lawn, Chair Mario Orangio, Fire Chief Gerald Mee, Supt. Of Public Works Steven Magoon, Community Development and Planning Mr. John S. Airasian Ms. Kelly Gallagher David Sampson Sergeant Tel: 617-972-6547 June 9, 2016 May, 2016 Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes In attendance: Michael Lawn, Mario Orangio, Kelly Gallagher, John S. Airasian At the May 25, 2016 Traffic Commission meeting the following items were discussed: Item 1— Mr. Airasian made a motion to approve the minutes of the April, 2016 Traffic Commission meeting; the motion was seconded by Chief Orangio. The motion passed unanimously. Item 2 — The Commission addressed a request by Mr. Mee to discuss potential alternative parking restrictions on Marion Road between Spring Street and Common Street — currently posted as No Parking. Due to Mr. Mee's inability to attend the meeting, Sgt. Sampson explained that Mr. Mee brought this issue to the Commission at the request of Councilor at Large Susan Falkoff. Councilor Falkoff reported that the issues of congestion and safety at this location arose during a community meeting. Some community members reported that during high school dismissal, it is difficult to navigate on this section of roadway because parents live park to pick up their children. Although both sides of the street are currently posted "No Parking", Councilor Falkoff asked the Commission whether "No Standing" signs would be more appropriate. Sgt. Sampson explained that the traffic conditions on this portion of the roadway have remained unchanged for decades. The issue of vehicles live parking in this area occurs for approximately 10-15 minutes per day at dismissal time during the school year. The traffic demand for vehicles on this section of Marion Road immediately prior to dismissal is very low. In general, all side streets around the high school are congested at dismissal time. Sgt. Sampson spoke to Mr. Mee prior to the meeting and Mr. Mee would not support a change to the regulations in this area. Chief Lawn agreed with Sgt. Sampson and commented on the heavy congestion in the area during dismissal time. Forcing vehicles to move from this area of Marion Road will only exacerbate the problem elsewhere around the school. Mr. Airasian made a motion to take no action to modify the parking regulations on Marion Road between Spring Street and Common Street; the motion was seconded by Chief Orangio. The motion passed unanimously. Item 3 — The Commission addressed a request by Mr. Hovanes Nshanian of 10 Wells Avenue to review the number of Handicap Only Parking spaces in the Wells Avenue parking lot. Mr. Nshanian's parents live on Wells Avenue and possess a handicap placard. Sgt. Sampson explained that the Wells Avenue parking lot was recently reconstructed as part of the development of CVS at 665 Mount Auburn Street. To accommodate the anticipated influx of traffic in the lot, the parking lot was slightly redesigned. Prior to the meeting, Sgt. Sampson visited the lot and counted 7 Handicapped Only parking spaces (4 near CVS, 2 near the Citizen's Bank, and 1 along the building near the Laundromat). Sgt. Sampson felt that the parking spaces in the lot were not intended to be used as regular, long-term parking for residents and felt that there were adequate alternatives for Wells Ave residents who have handicap placards. Sgt. Sampson spoke to Mr. Magoon who was also in agreement that additional handicapped only parking spaces were not needed in the lot. Chief Lawn agreed with Sgt. Sampson and Mr. Magoon. Mr. Airasian made a motion to take no action to modify the number of Handicap Only spaces in the Wells Avenue lot; the motion was seconded by Ms. Gallagher. The motion passed unanimously. Item 4 — The Commission addressed a request by Mr. Ryan Terani of 112 Edenfield Avenue to restrict parking on Bancroft Street from Lexington Street to Edenfield Avenue to one -side only. Mr. Terani was present at the meeting and voiced many concerns on Bancroft Street including parking, littering, and neighbors hosting numerous parties. Mr. Terani presented photos of his concerns. Mr. Terani reported that he recently moved to Watertown, and believed that Bancroft Street was too narrow to have vehicles parked on both sides. He additionally reported that vehicles often block his driveway, park on the street for days at a time, and park too close to the intersections. Sgt. Sampson reported that he spoke to Mr. Terani about the parking and quality of life concerns in the neighborhood. Sgt. Sampson felt that the road was wide enough for parking on both sides, and that this section of Bancroft Street was also used by residents of Lexington Street because parking is prohibited on Lexington Street. Chief Lawn asked Mr. Terani several questions about the days and times that Mr. Terani has had problems with parking and how many times Mr. Terani has had to call the police for service. Mr. Terani reported that parking is very bad on evenings and weekends. Chief Lawn explained the Town's two hour parking restriction and ways in which Mr. Terani can work with the police department to address his quality of life concerns. Mr. Airasin reported that crosswalk violations and abandoned cars can be addressed quickly. Although the Commission took no action to change the parking regulations on Bancroft Street, Chief Lawn stated that the police department would take a look at the area and consider enforcement actions prior to considering changes to the parking regulations. [Note: this issue was entered into the police department's roll call on May 27, 2016] Item 5 — The Commission addressed a request by Mr. Craig Stivers of 90 Edenfield Avenue to restrict parking on Edenfield Avenue to one -side only. Mr. Stivers was present at the meeting and explained that he has lived on Edenfield Avenue for approximately four years. At a recent neighborhood meeting he learned that the reconstruction of the street would result in narrowing the roadway by six feet. Although Mr. Stivers appreciates the fact that the condition of the street would be improved and would be "greener", he believed that the roadway will be too narrow to support parking on both sides of the street. Mr. Stivers reported that he has trouble entering/exiting his driveway due to congestion on the street; vehicles are left on the roadway for many days at a time, and Mr. Stivers felt vehicles were speeding on Edenfield Avenue. Sgt. Sampson explained that making a change to Edenfield Avenue prior to the completion of the roadway construction may be premature. Based on the current plan, the roadway will be 26 feet wide which is wider than the Town's accepted minimum road width standard. Sgt. Sampson also explained the intent of the Town's two-hour parking restriction. Sgt. Sampson agreed that Edenfield Avenue is a thickly populated residential area and that many cars park on the street. Restricting parking to one side only will result in a loss of fifty percent of the parking on the street; this will cause a major problem in the area. Chief Lawn agreed with Sgt. Sampson and reported that when parking is limited to one side only, it tends to increase overall speeds of vehicles traveling on the street. The roadway becomes wider and motorists tend to speed up. Mr. Airasian agreed with Chief Lawn. Although the Commission took no action to change the parking regulations on Edenfield Avenue, Sgt. Sampson advised Mr. Stivers that he would conduct a speed survey on the street. Item 6 — The Commission addressed a written request by Ms. Jane Phelan of 33 Palfrey Street to consider an All -Way stop at the intersection of Palfrey Street at Spring Street. Sgt. Sampson reported that the request was received through the Town's Civic Plus electronic submission system. This area has been the source of many concerns over the years, and Ms. Phelan felt that an All -Way stop may reduce the number of accidents at this location. Sgt. Sampson stated that an All -Way stop must meet certain criteria, and that the number of accidents at this location may meet the standard. If the Commission wanted to explore this possibility, Sgt. Sampson would research the accident data and report back to the Commission in June. Chief Lawn reported that an All -Way stop may reduce accidents and also serve as a traffic calming measure near the high school. The Commission asked Sgt. Sampson to research the accident data at the intersection of Spring Street at Palfrey Street. Item 7 — Watertown Town Engineer Mr. Matthew Shuman introduced Mr. Brian McGovern of the Hanover Company, and Mr. Charlie Bosworth and Robert Amendolaro from D.A. Bosworth who gave a presentation concerning proposed off -site traffic related improvements as part of the 204 Arsenal Street project. Mr. Shuman explained that the plans were already approved by the Planning and Zoning Boards. In summary, the presentation included plans to extend the community path from Louise Street to Irving Street, new traffic signalization at the intersections of Arsenal Street at Irving Street, and Arsenal Street at Beechwood Avenue, and a new traffic signal at an entrance to the 204 Arsenal Street property. As a result of this development, some bus stop locations and on -street parking may change. Construction is anticipated in the near future and Mr. Shuman felt it was appropriate for the Traffic Commission to learn of the anticipated changes. Item 8 — The Commission heard a presentation by Mr. Jeffrey Heidelberg of Boylston Properties concerning proposed off -site traffic related improvements as part of the 480 Arsenal Street project. In summary, the traffic signals at the intersections of Nichols Avenue and Arlington Street, and Bigelow Avenue and Mount Auburn Street with be optimized, raised tables will be installed on Bigelow Avenue and Elton Avenue, and a raised intersection will be constructed at the intersection of Nichols Avenue and Elton Avenue. Approximately 6 parking spaces will be removed on Nichols Avenue, and two or three parking spaces will be removed on Bigelow Avenue. Mr. Airasian was concerned that the intersection of Nichols Avenue and Arlington Street would be overwhelmed with the new influx of traffic; he suggested that the business that ultimately occupies this building be required to stagger the release time of employees to reduce the traffic impact in the area. New Business a. Sgt. Sampson reported that a request has come forward for a pedestrian walk signal or in -street pedestrian sign at the intersection of Pleasant Street at Howard Street. This item will be placed on the June, 2016 agenda. b. Sgt. Sampson reported that a request has come forward for cautionary Children signage on Ladd Street. This item will be placed on the June, 2016 agenda. c. Mr. Airasian explained that the mouth of Coolidge Hill Road at Arlington Street current restricts parking on one side of the street. Mr. Airasian would like to explore the possibility of restricting parking on both sides of the street in this area to increase safety for students boarding and alighting the school bus. This may be placed on the June, 2016 agenda. Mr. Airasian made a motion to adjourn; the motion was seconded by Chief Orangio. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Sgt. David Sampson Assistant to the Traffic Commission