East Longmeadow Plans New High School Amid Traffic Safety Concerns
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Meeting Type:
Planning Board
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Meeting Date:
05/07/2024
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Recording Published:
05/08/2024
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Duration:
110 Minutes
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Hampden County
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Towns:
East Longmeadow
- Meeting Overview:
In a move for the East Longmeadow community, the Planning Board discussed the construction of a new East Longmeadow High School and addressed concerns regarding traffic safety and the impact on local neighborhoods. The meeting, which covered a range of topics, delved into the particulars of the school’s site plan, including traffic flow, parking allocation, and construction phasing, as well as the effects of these aspects on the surrounding area.
The presentation on the new high school construction was a focal point of the meeting, with plans for a main entry plaza, separate drop-off areas, outdoor spaces, and athletic fields. The plan included the creation of two new softball fields and the relocation of existing facilities. The proposed site plan aimed to separate parent pick-up and drop-off from school bus traffic. Concerns about the discontinuation of Nordon Street and its impact on parking during large events were raised, with the project team emphasizing their intention to minimize pavement extension and maintain parking on the outside of the fields.
A traffic engineer presented findings from a traffic study that focused on Maplewood Road and five nearby intersections. The study revealed that the 85th percentile speeds on Maplewood Road were 40 miles per hour, exceeding the posted limit of 35 miles per hour, raising concerns about pedestrian safety. The traffic operations analysis, using software, generally found acceptable operations, but noted a failure at the school driveway during future conditions. This led to discussions about the need for a speed limit reduction and improvements to traffic safety measures, including the replacement of an inefficient pedestrian signal with rapid rectangular flashing beacons and reeducation on parking behaviors.
The meeting also touched on the existing pedestrian signal, which was in poor condition and underutilized by school children. Proposals to replace it with RFBs, relocate crosswalks, and remove existing driveways were discussed. The possibility of adding no parking signs on Melwood Avenue to alleviate congestion during school dismissal and the enforcement of no parking regulations to mitigate traffic issues on Maple Street were considered.
The board reviewed a letter from the Superintendent of Public Works outlining 22 items that needed to be addressed in the site plan. The stormwater management plan was presented, focusing on meeting Massachusetts stormwater policy standards, with features such as bio retention areas and permeable pavement.
Additionally, the impact of construction on the neighborhood was a concern, with residents raising questions about dust, noise, and the temporary roadway’s design and location. The board discussed the construction timeline and measures to buffer neighboring properties, including paving and fencing the temporary roadway. Concerns about the proximity of the temporary roadway to residences, the positioning of a fence near the baseball field, and the potential impact on local parking and traffic were also addressed.
Community members expressed concerns about speeding and pedestrian safety on nearby streets, prompting dialogue about the implementation of raised crosswalks and traffic calming measures. The proposed crosswalks were planned to be at-grade with curb cut ramps and detectable warning surfaces.
The discussion also included tree species selection, fence maintenance, road reconfiguration, and the new construction’s impact on existing properties. Issues related to trash cleanup, tree height, and traffic from construction vehicles were raised, with the board emphasizing the need to maintain existing vegetation and consider safety and traffic concerns. The positioning of the soccer field and the road was debated, accounting for the impact on utilities and turning radius requirements for trucks.
Finally, the meeting touched on other administrative matters, including the announcement of a new planner director starting in May and discussions about upcoming events, future zoning considerations, and the potential use of grants for reviewing town bylaws and the zoning map. The board moved to adjourn with the potential consideration of language related to drone regulations for future meetings.
Thomas D. Christensen
Planning Board Officials:
Russell Denver, Cassandra Cerasuolo, Robert Tirrell, Peter Punderson, William Fonseca
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Meeting Type:
Planning Board
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Meeting Date:
05/07/2024
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Recording Published:
05/08/2024
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Duration:
110 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Hampden County
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Towns:
East Longmeadow
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