To:   Linda Finucane

Re:  Special Permit Application, Riverside LLC

Dt:   October 15, 2012

 

 

OVERVIEW      

 

I have lived in the Quinobequin Road area for 33 years and walk regularly
along that road. My neighbors and I are deeply concerned about the potential
impact of traffic generated by the proposed Riverside Project and do not
feel reassured by assertions that the project won't have an appreciable
impact on the volume of traffic on Quinobequin between Routes 16 and 9.  My
neighbors and I don't believe that there has been an adequate assessment of
the traffic to have an accurate baseline before the project begins. Such an
assessment should be made by an independent company and paid for by the
developer. We believe that annual assessments must continue and the
developer remains responsible for future mitigation.

 

We seek clarification that, should the actual volume of traffic exceed
projections by more than 5 percent, as monitored over a five-year period,
mitigation shall be required of the developers.  That mitigation should
include, but not be limited to, the developer's funding of photo-enforced
speeding technology.

 

THE SITUATION

 

Quinobequin Road (QBQ) was created as a "recreation road," a small parkway
to be overseen by the former Metropolitan District Commission (MDC).  It has
now been transferred to the DCR.  Commercial vehicles are supposed to be
excluded. Speed limits are supposed to be maintained at 25-30 mph, depending
on the specific part of the roadway.  The road follows the river [the name
Quinobequin itself means "meandering" in Algonquin], and there are numerous
blind spots along the two-mile stretch. 

Under the influence of the Riverside Project, Quinobequin Road has the
potential to become a major cut-through by people trying to avoid traffic
congestion on Route 9 and Route 16.  It has already begun to be used by
commercial vehicles, and cars and trucks both operate in excess of the
all-too-infrequently posted speed limits.  The dangers are obvious.

Concern about worsening conditions has heightened in face of the planned
construction of the new Riverside Development.  A key problem we anticipate
is that, during commuter rush hours, cars seeking to access Route 128 from
Route 16, confronting backups on 128 at 16, will cut through Quinobequin to
access Route 128 from Route 9.  Others will seek to avoid traffic at the
intersection of Routes 16 and Grove Street will, again, seek to get to
Wellesley by taking Quinobequin to Route 9.  Again, Quinobequin is a
"recreation road," with speed limits posted at 25 mph and barred to
commercial vehicles in excess of 5000 pounds.

RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS

 

 

We recognize that the project is going forward, with very little monitoring
having been done on Quinobequin Road between Routes 16 and Route 9.  The
monitoring that I mentioned before (done by an independent company, funded
by the developer) should evaluate the traffic that enters both ends of
Quinobequin Road as well as the streets that intersect with Quinobequin.
This would better enable planners to assess how many cars are coming in and
out of the neighborhood and how many are using Quinobequin as a cut-through.

We strongly urge a formula be put in place to trigger mitigation measures
should the developer's traffic projections be exceeded by 5 percent over the
next five years.  We strongly suggest the city to require the developer to
fund signage, speed camera systems and enforcement. Automatic ticketing
through camera systems are used in Europe and Australia or New Zealand, and
are also in place in Maryland.  

 

Unlike many problems posed by today's traffic and environmental degradation,
the Quinobequin Road traffic problem, expected to worsen due to the
Riverside project, is one that can be solved.  And it can be solved at
relatively low cost.  We invite your response and look forward to doing
whatever you need us to do as full participants in the process.

 

Thank you for your serious consideration.

 

Sincerely,

 

Marjorie Arons-Barron

Edgefield Road

Waban

 

October 15, 2012