2008-11-12-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes for the Meeting of November 12, 2008 Page 3 *****************************HARTWELL AVENUE AREA STUDY*********************** Traffic/Transportation: Mr. Henry presented the Traffic Changes Summary, which included the following proposals for consideration: ?? Supply management - set maximums and after that pay fee; ?? Revisit existing traffic studies and be less prescriptive; ?? Incorporate mitigation and “do no harm” ?? Neighborhood mitigations, what conditions would trigger them ?? Traffic demand management, getting a balance. Board Comments: Mr. Hornig summarized the requirements as the developer does what he has to do for his own use; don’t cross LOS (Level of Service) lines; have mitigation fees based on parking spaces (some spaces would be free and then fees for any number of spaces above a set maximum); incorporate TDM; and, neighborhood mitigations should be proportionate to what was being developed. Mr. Henry said establishing a fair share may be problematic; Hartwell Avenue may work using a betterment but this would be town-wide by-law. Mr. Hornig said while it was town-wide it could incorporate zone-wide solutions. Developers add additional traffic, and mitigation should be proportional to that traffic. The mitigation fees would go into a fund to cover all improvements such as traffic calming and intersections. He said the fee could start at the first parking space and be a lower fee per space. Having a CM zone-wide mitigation fund set up would be simpler and fairer. Mr. Galaitsis said he did not want the last developer to be responsible for alleviating the collective traffic problems created by pre-existing developments in the district. Increased density would benefit all businesses and the Town as a whole; therefore, all businesses and the town should fund net improvements would be for the nearby residential areas. He felt that the level of service should not be lowered below a currently permitted minimum level D. Parking spaces should all have a nominal fee up to the maximum permitted number. Parking requested above the maximum permitted number should be discouraged by charging much higher fees. Regarding mitigation, instead of fixing what becomes broken, he would prefer to identify impending problems and plan solutions in advance.