2004-09-13 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

i jVL4& V~4 Town of Reading ,yMNG, `ASS. 16 Lowell Street ZL90 011 I A . Fl o Reading, MA 01867-2683 Phone: 781-942-9012 Fax: 781-942-9071 Email: creilly@ci.reading.ma.us COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION CPDC MINUTES Meeting Dated: September 13, 2004 Members Present: Neil Sullivan, Chair (NS), Richard Howard (RH), Jonathan Barnes (JB), Susan DeMatteo (SD), John Sasso (JS). Also Present: Chris Reilly (CR), Town Planner; Joseph Delaney (JD), Town Engineer The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. Zoning Workshop Permitted Use: Carriage House Virginia Adams, Historical Commission Chair, discussed the need for permitting carriage houses as dwelling units in order to preserve historic houses. RH discussed his belief that the carriage house amendment has not been thought through and we need to look at other carriage house provisions in other towns. Chris Latham, Esq. gave a presentation on a current case before the ZBA requesting zoning relief to allow a carriage house dwelling unit; the ZBA fears that they would be making policy by granting a variance and it is better left to a zoning-by-law amendment. Many of the carriage houses do not have the framing for garage conversions so these structures will likely be demolished if the incentive isn't provided for preservation. JB made the point that we should be including language for affordable units, as recommended in the Community Development Plan. NS looked at Sections 4 and 6 of the draft amendment language from the Historical Commission; they seem contradictory. Brad Latham, Esq. made a presentation: preserving the carriage house limits the ability of the owner in the main house to convert to a two-family. JB made the point that the by-law might be too restrictive; an inventory should be made to know whether there can be more houses included. The by-law may be laudable, but there are enough questions for which there aren't presently the answers. RH moved to recommend submission of the proposed zoning amendment article to the Selectmen for inclusion in the Fall Town meeting warrant. There was discussion about the positive nature of the motion; JB felt that a motion to not recommend was more appropriate. JB moved to not recommend the proposed warrant article to the Selectmen because of insufficient review. _ RH seconded. Voted 5-0, all in favor.