2011-01-20 Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes

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~A C LERK Town of Reading ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Minutes of January 20, 2011 Members Present: Clark Petschek, Chairman John Jarema John Miles Robert Redfern Damase Caouette Kristin Cataldo Members Absent: Jeffrey Perkins F- ~ A meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room of the Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts, at 7:00 P.M. Also in attendance was Glen Redmond, Commissioner of Buildings. Case # 11-01 A Public Hearing on the petition of Fay Homes LLC who seeks a Variance and a Special Permit under Sections 4.2.2/5.0/6.3.2 of the zoning bylaws in order to renovate and redevelop the original pipe factory into eight residential condominium units located at 10 Pierce Street in Reading, MA. This property is located in an 5-15 residential district. Attorney Chris Coleman represented Fay Homes, LLC. He reviewed the history of the property and how it has historical significance because it was an organ factory. He said there are three structures on the property right now. The applicant proposed changing the use of the property from one non-conforming use to another non-conforming use. The proposal is for eight condominium units to be built on the property. There have been three DRT meetings regarding the proposed condominium development to date. Attorney Coleman reviewed the site plan for the existing buildings on the property and then the site plan for the new proposal. He said the density for the new proposal is less than the present amount. He said they are asking for a Special Permit and will only request a Variance if needed. William Johnson, Contractor, explained the condition of the present buildings and,how it is no longer feasible to rehabilitate the present structures. He will, however, be able to save some of the timbers to use in the new structures to maintain the historical integrity of the property. The organ pipes will be saved and used in the new structures as well to preserve this history. Mr. Johnson reviewed the materials that would be used on the outside and stated there will be wood doors and windows throughout, which are consistent with the existing structure. The Board reviewed the various sections of the bylaws that this property could be reconstructed under. There was some discussion regarding that with the extensive amount of the property that ZBA Meeting, January 20, 2011