From: 	"Andrew Johnston" <AJohnston@fstinc.com>
To:	"Helen Donaldson" <HCD@portlandmaine.gov>
CC:	<brad@northlandUS.com>, "David Lloyd" <lloyd@archetypepa.com>, "Peter Biegel" <pbiegel@landdesignsolutions.com>
Date: 	3/26/2015 12:01 PM
Subject: 	RE: Century Tire
Attachments:	Dumpster-Alt2.pdf; Alternative Dumpster Location3.pdf; 03-26-15- meeting mark-up.pdf

Hi Nell,

Thanks for sending this over.  It clarifies the intent and gives a little better guidance on the section for the sidewalk and trail at Kennebec Street.  I see that the 10ft bituminous multi-use trail is designed to run at the outside edge of the street, with the brick sidewalk adjacent to the curb line – this makes a lot more sense, and eliminates the need for a curb ramp in the bicycle lane (it would be in the sidewalk at the curb line).  I do still have significant concerns regarding the termination of the bike lane as this will effectively dump bicycle traffic onto the roadway at the end of the property, directly opposing the oncoming one-way traffic, and immediately adjacent to a busy driveway exit from enterprise.  I will talk to Tom some more about how we treat this, and will include my concerns in the response letter.

On the dumpster enclosures,  I left the meeting with the feeling that we had resolved the pedestrian thoroughfare issue with them remaining as shown on the submitted plans.  This is not just the preference of the Owners - they really feel that the alternative location will not function at all from the perspective of providing a welcoming and desirable retail location.  We understand the desire to provide a convenient access through the property for folks working at the adjacent post-office depot, and presumably parking on the other side of Marginal Way, and felt yesterday that we had found a way to accomplish this by adapting the current layout.  We would prefer treat this connection as an element of the overall design and not as a primary driving force for the remainder of the site layout.   I have attached the mark-up that I sketched during the meeting yesterday showing the dumpsters along the primary face of Building A (03-26-15 meeting mark-up).  I have also shown the area that is required as a clear zone for the approach of the waste removal trucks – these are 36’-7”+/- long and need to line up straight to pick up the cans.  The requirement for a clear zone in this option would eliminate the ability to place any meaningful landscaping in the small island adjacent to the Enterprise Driveway, and would expose the 44ft-long face of the enclosure to Marginal Way.  It would also create a large area of otherwise un-useable pavement that, in my opinion would be a detriment to the entrance/exit circulation.  

We also tried two other configurations (also attached).  The perpendicular layout does not work for the northern two dumpsters due to the limited clear zone.  The third option does appear to work, with a minor reduction in the width of the  entrance drive.  It still results in a lot of pavement at the entrance to the site, but improves the overall view from the street.

It is important to note that the northern face of Building A is the only wall that is visible to pass-by traffic (either pedestrian or vehicular) on Marginal Way, and hence presents the only opportunity to attract potential customers off the street.  A line of dumpsters, enclosed or not, or an open expanse of striped pavement does nothing to meet this goal and provides a rather unattractive, back-of-house feel to the main entrance to the property.  In summary, we do not feel that the alternative location makes for a welcoming or attractive entrance to the site, it detracts from the marketability of Building A, and does not enhance the circulation, or aesthetic appearance of the site.  However, we are committed to finding a solution that meets the goals and objectives of the City and also results in the type of welcoming, attractive environment desired by the Owner.  To this end, we would be grateful for any feedback you can provide on the attached sketches so that we can continue to move forward with this as expeditiously as possible.   

On the issue of schedule, it is our intent to revise the plans and supporting information and provide you with an updated package and response to comments at the end of this week.   This will require some significant work at our end, but given our clients’ schedule with regard to the current P&S agreement, and the time that has passed since our original submission, we feel that it is necessary to keep things moving as quickly as possible.  With your assistance and input, we feel we can resolve the outstanding items in a timely and efficient manner. 

I will give you a call to discuss this afternoon.

Thanks and regards,

Andrew 

 

Andrew D. Johnston, P.E.  |  Principal Engineer

  <http://www.fstinc.com/> 

FAY, SPOFFORD & THORNDIKE

Celebrating a Century of Engineering Excellence

778 Main Street, Suite 8  |  South Portland, ME 04106

 T: 207-775-1121 x4126 |  F: 207-879-0896

ajohnston@fstinc.com <mailto:ajohnston@fstinc.com>   |  www.fstinc.com <http://www.fstinc.com>   |

  <http://www.linkedin.com/company/fay-spofford-&-thorndike> 

  <http://www.twitter.com/FSTinc> 

From: Helen Donaldson [mailto:HCD@portlandmaine.gov] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2015 5:05 PM
To: Andrew Johnston
Subject: Re: Century Tire

Andrew, 

Here's the most recent iteration of the report (from January).  It shows the relevant section in Figure 19, I believe.  Let me know if you still have questions on this.  

I just had a chance to talk to Bruce Hyman and Tom about your Brattle Street crosswalk question.  Both thought it was best to simply place the ramp in the trail, taking up as little real estate as possible, of course.  A taper on the sidewalk may give you more space.  You're going to have to resolve the question of what happens with the trail and sidewalk at the driveway as well.  Tom mentioned that raising the driveway to meet sidewalk/trail grade (or at least get closer to grade) may be a good solution.   Feel free to call him with questions or to float ideas. 

We also had a chance to digest the discussion about the pedestrian connection across the site.  To reiterate, I think our preference would be to see the trash enclosures move.  Given the B-7 design standards (as well as principles of good urban design), we are really trying to look at the Kennebec frontage as the public face of Building A.   To that end, it would be helpful to see how a sketch of that alternate location (behind Building A) might work.  I think that you could effectively screen the enclosures at that location, much as you have tried to in the spot along the opposite property line.   Let me know if you have questions on this.  

Last, we didn't talk about timeline moving forward today.  I know that Rex and company want to keep this moving, but there is still quite a bit to be resolved.  Let me know when you have a target date for your revised submittal.  That will help us try to plan ahead. 

Thanks, 

Nell

 

 

_____________________________________

Nell Donaldson

City of Portland Planning Division

389 Congress Street

Portland, Maine 04101

874-8723

hcd@portlandmaine.gov

>>> "Andrew Johnston" <AJohnston@fstinc.com> 3/25/2015 4:29 PM >>>

Hi Nell,

Just a quick follow up on what I think was a very helpful meeting today.  I have been looking at the Somerset Street Extension study that I have – entitled Preliminary Findings Report, October 2014.  It has a number of configurations and all seem to show a 15ft trail/sidewalk combination.  Do you have a more current version that shows the proposed section? A 7ft sidewalk and 10ft trail was mentioned, and I am particularly interested in the transition at Brattle Street, so I can show that correctly on our plan.

Thanks,

Andrew  

Andrew D. Johnston, P.E.  |  Principal Engineer

 <http://www.fstinc.com/> 

FAY, SPOFFORD & THORNDIKE

Celebrating a Century of Engineering Excellence

778 Main Street, Suite 8  |  South Portland, ME 04106

 T: 207-775-1121 x4126 |  F: 207-879-0896

ajohnston@fstinc.com <mailto:ajohnston@fstinc.com>   |  www.fstinc.com <http://www.fstinc.com>   |

 <http://www.linkedin.com/company/fay-spofford-&-thorndike> 

 <http://www.twitter.com/FSTinc> 

The information transmitted in this electronic communication is
intended only for the person or entity to whom it is addressed
and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any
review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of or taking
of any action in reliance upon this information by persons or
entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If
you received this information in error, please contact IT
Services at 800-835-8666 and properly dispose of this
information.
 
Please consider the environment before printing this email.

Notice: Under Maine law, documents - including e-mails - in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in an e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.   ­­  

The information transmitted in this electronic communication is 
intended only for the person or entity to whom it is addressed 
and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any 
review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of or taking 
of any action in reliance upon this information by persons or 
entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If 
you received this information in error, please contact IT 
Services at 800-835-8666 and properly dispose of this 
information.

Please consider the environment before printing this email.