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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-08 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTown of Reading v�D 16 Lowell Street TOWN CLERK Reading, MA 01867 -2683 READING, MASS. Phone: 781 - 942 -6612 Fax: 781 - 942 -9071 C e Email: jdelios @ci.reading.ma.us 1011 JAN 18 P 12, 59 Community Planning and Development Commission CPDC MINUTES Meeting Dated: December 8, 2011 Location: Selectmen's Meeting Room Time: 7:30 PM Members Present: John Weston, Chair; Nicholas Safina; David Tuttle; and Charlie Adams Also Present: Jean Delios, Town Planner; Jessie Wilson, Staff Planner and Recording Secretary Brad Latham, Latham Law Offices Jim Velleco, Grazado Velleco Architects Ted Moore, Johnson Woods Realty Corp. Bill Bergeron, Hayes Engineering Timothy Leary, 113 Longwood Drive Donna Dudley, 35 Glenmere Circle George Zambouras, Town Engineer There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM. Public Hearing (continued) — Planned Unit Development, Johnson Woods, Phase II Mr. Weston requested that the applicant provide an update of the changes to the plan since the last meeting and to go over the outstanding items. Mr. Bergeron of Hayes engineering indicated that he and the Town Engineer had met to go over the outstanding items and comments. One of the main issues identified by the Town Engineer was the proposed drainage system. Mr. Bergeron stated he provided Mr. Zambouras with a sketch that identified additional stormwater collection points in the parking lot of the proposed development. He also mentioned that they addressed the issues with the proposed road grades. Mr. Bergeron briefly went over the supplemental traffic information that was also provided to Mr. Zambouras to indicate that the level of service (LOS) would not decrease after the full build -out scenario. He also indicated that additional coordination is needed to determine access rights for the proposed utilities. Prior to moving forward with any additional discussion, Mr. Weston requested the applicant provide a brief overview of the project as some of the audience may not have been familiar with the proposal. Mr. Weston also summarized the PUD approval process. Mr. Latham provided a brief overview of the proposed development. Mr. Weston indicated that an additional concern of Town Staff and Board members was the method of rubbish disposal within the garden -style buildings and requested the applicant describe the plan for removal of trash and recycling. Mr. Velleco indicated that two (2) of the garden -style buildings will Page 1 of 3 CPDC Minutes of 12/8/2011 contain 36 units and one (1) garden -style building will contain 39 units. He further explained that there will be common areas within the garage level of each building for trash and recycling. This is similar to Phase I and seems to be working well. He indicated that the trash is taken out once a week by the condominium employee which is then picked up the by the Town's disposal contractor. The employee then places all the containers back in the building. Mr. Weston requested clarification that for Phase 1I, the containers will be placed on a concrete pad prior to pick -up by the disposal contractor. Mr. Moore verifies that will be the situation and that it seems to be a good system as seen in Phase I. Mr. Weston and Mr. Zambouras express concern that the proposed development has several more units than Phase I and that this method may not work as well with Phase II as the number of containers will increase. Mr. Zambouras is also concerned that the Town's disposal contractor may not take the amount of containers being proposed for pickup and he would like to hear from this company prior to settling this method of rubbish removal. Ms. Delios expressed her concern with Phase I, in that the containers did not have any covers. Mr. Latham indicated it would be no problem to include covered receptacles into the approval. Mr. Weston requested the Board and applicant discuss the other open issues. Mr. Bergeron indicated that the length of the proposed dead -end street may require a waiver as indicated by the Town Engineer. However, he was under the impression that because it will be providing emergency access to the City of Woburn that it would not be considered a subdivision road and not subject to the 500 -foot extension limit. There was a discussion with the Board and Mr. Zambouras on whether to the applicant should apply for a waiver. It was suggested by Mr. Moore that they should apply for the waiver and obtain approval if required. Mr. Moore discussed the outstanding issues related to parking. He explained that the 2 space /unit ratio proved to be inadequate for Phase I and believes that the 10% surplus for Phase II is barely sufficient. He would like to maintain the number of spaces currently proposed. Ms. Delios stated that the draft decision before the Board tonight, as written, would not preclude him from doing a full build -out of parking. Mr. Moore is concerned that the condition, as drafted, which requires the applicant to provide documented need for parking would be difficult to adhere to. Mr. Weston stated that he believes what is proposed is not over - planned in terms of proposed parking spaces. Mr. Zambouras indicated that he agrees with the applicant to maintain the proposed 22 -foot roadway width for Trevor lane and will also agree to the sloped granite curbing as it will be consistent with Phase I. Mr. Latham, Mr. Zambouras and the Board re- visited the rubbish removal discussion and continued to discuss the conditions to be included in the Preliminary PUD Plan approval. Mr. Zambouras suggested that the language be drafted such that it will require for the Town's disposal contractor to approve the proposed method of trash removal prior to the Final PUD Plan approval. Mr. Moore indicated he will coordinate with the Town's disposal company and schedule a meeting. Mr. Weston and Mr. Zambouras discussed the supplemental traffic data presented. Mr. Zambouras feels confident that the data is sufficient but will have the Town's traffic consultant, GPI review it for further verification. Mr. Weston invited opportunities for public comment. Mr. Leary, an abutter, requested more information regarding the distance between the nearest proposed building and his residence and also wanted to know the heights of the buildings. Mr. Velleco indicated that the buildings nearest to his Page 2 of 3 CPDC Minutes of 12/8/2011 residence will be one -story buildings with sloped roofs. Mr. Leary also wanted to know if there was ledge in the area between his residence and the proposed development. The applicant indicated that test pits did not reveal much ledge, but until the builder is out there, it is not known for certain. They anticipate very little blasting, if any. Mr. Leary further expressed his concern on the perspective of the proposed buildings from his residence and the amount of trees that will be removed. Mr. Velleco responded that he does not believe the buildings should be visible from his home based on the distance and the topography of the site. Mr. Velleco also provided a graphic which was presented on the overhead projector that showed a google earth image of the site. This image identified the existing trees. The image was also rendered to show the proposed tree lines associated with the development once fully constructed. The Board discussed this image with the applicant and Mr. Leary. In response to Mr. Leary's concern regarding the amount of blasting, Mr. Moore indicated that some blasting was done for Phase I. All of that blasting was done in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. He further stated that he believes there will be a minor amount of blasting and is confident it can be done without damage to adjacent properties. Mr. Weston pointed out that the proposed development is within reason based on the applicable zoning regulations. Mr. Latham suggested they move on to discuss the draft approval. The Board discussed the draft approval with the applicant and made some changes in regards to the conditions for traffic, parking and solid waste removal. On a motion by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Safina, the CPDC closed the public hearing for the Preliminary PUD Plan for Johnson Woods, Phase II. Motion carried 4 -0 -0. On a motion by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Safina, the CPDC approved the Preliminary PUD Plan as amended. Motion carried 4 -0 -0. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Safina, the CPDC voted to adjourn at 9:20 PM by a vote of 4 -0 -0. Respectfully Submitted, Jessie Wilson Recording Secretary Page 3 of 3