2016-02-22 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutes

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e� orx�o, I^ �. Town of Reading Meeting Minutes RECEIVED fir° TOWN CLERK a•'° i?EADING. MASS. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Community Planning and Development Commission 1016 MAR -8 Q I# 58 1 Date: 2016 -02 -22 Time: 7:30 PM Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Location: Address: 49 Pleasant Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Jeff Hansen, David Tuttle, Nick Safina and John Weston Members - Not Present: Karen Goncalves -Dolan Others Present: Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios, Community Development Director Julie Mercier, Administrative Assistant Caltlin Saunders, Mary Ellen O'Neill, Tony D'Arezzo, George Katsoufis, Stephen Crook, Karen Herrick, Carolyn Whiting, Tom Bergendahl, Jonathan Barnes. Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Julie Mercier on behalf of Jeff Hansen Topics of Discussion: Chair Jeff Hansen called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM. Zonina Workshop Mr. Hansen explained that the purpose of the zoning workshop is to share the CPDC's opinion on priorities for 2016 and to obtain public comment. The goal of the workshop is to determine the zoning priorities for the November Subsequent Town Meeting. Mr. Hansen briefed the audience on the history of zoning updates since 2013, and explained the reasons underpinning the list of priorities currently being considered. He pointed out that while the CPDC's priorities at the end of 2015 were PRO, PUD, Signs and Parking, the CPDC is now proposing to undertake Signs, expansion of the Downtown Smart Growth 40R District (DSGD), Site Plan Review and Minor Modifications. He explained that updating the Sign Bylaw has become critical due to a recent Supreme Court ruling, and that expanding the 40R District was one of the key recommendations of the Economic Development Action Plan. Site Plan Review modifications need to be made to fine -tune the thresholds for what gets reviewed. The minor amendments are proposed in order to clarify some of the more difficult -to -apply bylaw sections, including the lot shape calculation and regulations regarding accessory structures. He concluded by noting that the CPDC will continue to refine PUD and PRO for a future Town Meeting, and that addressing Parking Issues will require a bigger discussion to be had at another time with a combination of boards. He asked for public input on the list of proposed priorities. Page 1 1