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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC 11/21/1983DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE IV3tQ019jM*j November 21, 1983 Present: Chairman Seifert, Anagnos, Tartufo, Spiezio, Stearns, Jackson, and DPW Director, Joseph Zeneski, D'Onofrio 1. Meeting called to order at 8 P.M. 2. Correspondence letter from Josephlambos to Ralph Seifert regarding the changes at the middle common. letter from Ed Pariseau Real Estate to the DAC regarding the beautification of downtown. letter from Woods Real Estate to the DAC supporting the enhance- ment of downtown. Petitions submitted by Jim Musto in favor of more parking rather than the creation of a middle common. 3. Middle Common Discussion Ralph Seifert informed the residents/merchants that this meeting is being held to discuss what has been done at the middle common. Any recommendations and/or suggestions the public offers will be reviewed by the DAC, the engineers, the Planning Board, and the Selectmen. The following is a list of some of the people who attended the meeting: Fitzpatrick, O'Malley, Mangiaratti, Earls, Tataglia, Grossman, Jackson, Phillips, Barrows, Genatossio, Barr, Connors, Annese, Brown, Frisoli, Maurer, Duran, DeGirolamo, and Courtemanche. Chairman Seifert explained that in 1981, the Rotary Club donated $5,000 for the construction of a middle common. The 1982 revitali- zation plan dealt with the third phase of traffic planning. This follows the 1977 downtown report. The area of discussion is N. Main St., High St., Samoset Ave., Church St., and Old Colony Way. The DAC has held open forums to discuss traffic patterns and parking spaces. At this point, Joseph Zeneski presented Alternative No. l and explained it. This was selected by the DAC as the best alternative. This pro- vides for 20 parking spaces close to the grain mill, and 29 parking spaces across from these. What has been done in the interim on a trial basis, is a wider S curb was put in from N. Main Street to Samoset Avenue, thereby eliminating some of the parking. This was done to try to provide a solution to exit/ entrance of the parking lot. QAC minutes Page 2 NCfs7ember 21, 1983 A proposal which is still being considered is to put an extension of Samoset Avenue creating a T intersection at High Street, then an island would be created. Part of the plan is to maximize use of the right-of-way allowing more turns in and out by having a T intersec- tion. Basically, there is only one exit/entrance from the parking lotto get traffic from the Back Bay. This is Court Street. Court Street would be widened as part of the improvement. Joseph Zeneski explained that this is an experiment; and they have had some success as far as traffic flow. There are two problems to consider: Parking and traffic flow. There are 20 spaces near the grain mill and 29 opposite those. It is pro- posed to extend the parking in back of Jimmy's Pub. There are more spaces that would be available. There are 54 spaces next to the Co-op. Joseph Zeneksi explained that one problem is people have been parking on both sides of Main Street; but they have been doing so unsafely. The width of the street for parking on both sides is under the minimum standards. The legal parking spaces will have to be designated and identified. A plan of where parking will be allowed safely was pre- sented. It was suggested to eliminate parking on the east side and put it on the west side. This would allow for a few more parking spaces, as there aren't as many driveway openings. There was discussion regarding the parking requirements for apartments/ businesses. It is presently 1.5, and it was previously 1.2. Jim Musto felt that the parking spaces near the grain mill will probably be used by tenants. He suggested creating more parking rather than the middle common, make Church Street two way, and leaving old Colony as it is. He presented a petition of people in favor of this. Robert Mangiaratti stated that the middle common would be an improve- ment to the downtown. The way it looks now is an eye sore. The traffic pattern makes much more sense. He feels you can't just focus on the parking. In the long run, designated parking spaces with lighting and trees will be a benefit to the business people. He suggested keeping it as is. Most of the merchants/business people tended to agree with more parking spaces rather than the middle common; and most of the residents tended to agree with the middle common, and they felt that the traffic pattern as it is now, has slowed down cars considerably. However, everyone felt that some compromise could be reached. Suggestions: Angle parking going north, and making Samoset one-way Put some parking spaces in the middle commone/parallel parking No parking on the corner of Bristol/Church Streets Need of public parking signs lighting needs to be improved Pros & Cons on making Church Street two-way Parking for grain mill/problem on the corners DAC minutes Page 3 November 21, 1983 The DAC will be reviewing the comments and suggestions presented tonight at their meeting to be held on November 28, 1983. Joseph Zeneski said there is a possibility of restoring some of the parking spaces. He also said that Church Street is too narrow to have two-way traffic. If Church Street was changed to two-way traffic, parking would be prohibited on both sides of the street.