HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-08-08 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesCPDC MINUTES
Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867 -2683 RECEIVED
Phone: CLERK
Fax: 781 - 942 - 9071 READING, MASS.
Email: jdelios @ci.reading.ma.us
Community Planning and Development Co jnk (p P 2:
Meeting Dated: August 8, 2011
Location: Selectmen's Meeting Room Time: 7:30 PM
Members Present: John Weston, Chair; Charles Adams, Secretary; Nicholas Safina; David Tuttle; and
Paul Bolger.
Also Present: Jean Delios, Community Services Director /Town Planner and Recording Secretary.
Reid Blute, Pulte Homes, Westwood, MA
Neal Roberts, JR Realty Trust, 3 Wedgewood Drive, Andover, MA
Ira Baline, db2 ARCHitecture
There being a quorum the Secretary called the meeting to order at 7:37 PM.
Minutes:
Reading Woods, 1 Jacob Way ( Pulte Homes of NE), Minor Modification:
Mr. Blute from Pulte Homes presented the application for the minor modifications at 1 Jacob Way for the
development known as Reading Woods. The changes proposed affect 3 items: the clubhouse; the 50 unit
garden building in the OR district; and the Landscaping Plan. The clubhouse and garden building
revisions are being proposed as a result of further design development by the architect. The Landscaping
Plan changes are in response to the feedback provided by the Town of Reading's Tree Warden.
The Clubhouse proposed changes are driven by the need to have the foyer face the parking spaces which
are at the rear of the building. Requirements for handicapped access dictate the need for this and as a
result the proposal is to have 2 front doors (the main front door is proposed to be in the rear). Essentially
the back looks like the front. A number of smaller details were proposed including removing a walkway,
locating an A/C unit, revising grading and installing a yard drain, and revising the location of water, gas,
sewer services entering the building. Additional exterior lighting was also proposed increasing the 4
fixtures to 8. The proposal also adds 3 windows to the cul -de -sac elevation, revised exterior fagade color
to Countryland Red or similar, a cupola (non - illuminated), modified gable, and new window designs.
Discussion ensured about the changes.
The 50 unit building (40R District) was proposed to be changed so that the gable was shifted to the end
and the window size and location was modified to improve the interior floor plan. Some discussion
followed.
The Landscaping Plan was proposed to be revised to include the Tree Warden's comments that Honey
Locust Trees be omitted in the right -of -way and evergreens shrubbery be removed from the bump out area
on South Street.
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CPDC Minutes of 08/08/2011
The Board reviewed a draft Minor Modification decision, noting some edits. On a motion by Mr. Tuttle,
seconded by Mr. Safina, the CPDC voted that the request qualified as a Minor Modification.
Vote 5 -0 -0. On a motion by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Safina, the CPDC voted to approve the Minor
Modification. Vote 5 -0 -0.
102 -104 Main Street, Site Plan Review Waver
Mr. Roberts presented the request for a waiver from full Site Plan Review as the proposed changes are
mostly interior with some slight alterations to the storefront including expanding the storefront windows
and adding decorative (fixed) awnings. The new tenant will be Fitness Together, an existing fitness
center located a few blocks away on Main Street that provides individualized fitness work with clients.
Some discussion followed about parking and the limited foot traffic this will generate.
On a motion by Mr. Tuttle seconded by the Mr. Bolger the CPDC voted that the request qualified as a
waiver from Site Plan Review. Vote 5 -0 -0. The conditions presented in the draft SPR Waiver were read
and discussed including the requirement that windows remain clear. On a motion by Mr. Tuttle seconded
by Mr. Bolger the CPDC voted to approve the SPR Waiver (as drafted) for 102 -104 Main Street. Vote 5-
0 -0.
273 -275 Salem Street, Special Permit and Certificate of Appropriateness
(Freestanding Sign — Business B Zoning District)
Mr. Baline of db2 ARCHitecture presented an updated proposal dated 08/08/2011 that shifted the sign so
that it was set back 10 feet from the right of way (5 feet more than originally proposed to improve the
sight lines). The material for the structure will be wood timbers left natural or stained with plastic inserts
for future tenants. LED lighting was encouraged and the applicant stated that he would try and minimize
the distance that the light bar projects from the base (currently designed to be 2'6 ").
On a motion by Mr. Tuttle seconded by Mr. Safma, the CPDC approved the Special Permit/Certificate of
Appropriateness as amended by the 08/08/2011 submittal. Vote 5 -0 -0.
Updates & Other Business: See attached
Adjournment:
On a motion by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Weston the CPDC moved to adjourn at 9:15 PM by a vote of
5 -0 -0
Respectfully Submitted,
Jean Delios
Recording Secretary
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