Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-07-09 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTown of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 -2683 Phone: 781 - 942 -6612 Fax: 781 - 942 -9071 Email: jdelios @ci.readmg.ma.us Community Planning and Development Commission CPDC MINUTES Meeting Dated: July 9, 2012 Location: Selectmen's Meeting Room Time: 7:30 PM CPDC Members Present: John Weston, Chair; Charlie Adams, David Tuttle, and Jeff Hansen Absent: Nicholas Safina Also Present: Jean Delios, Town Planner and Jessie Wilson, Staff Planner and Recording Secretary Others Present: Bradley Latham, Latham and Latham Law Officer John Kerekes, Representing Home Depot Patrick Dunford, Vanasse Hagen and Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) Taylor Dowdy, Vanasse Hagen and Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) Paul Wilson, Cumberland Farms There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. Public Hearing (continued) Home Depot — PUD -I Special Permit and Open Storage Special Permit Modification Mr. Dowdy, Project Manager for VHB presented the revised material based on comments from the previous meeting. The open storage areas located on the concrete apron in front of the store were modified to allow property ADA access between the edge of the storage area and the concrete apron. In addition, the truck rental spaces have been moved to the most southern spaces in the parking lot and the parking table on the plan has been revised to reflect the relief of 22 spaces from August to February and 65 spaces from March to July as granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals on June 21, 2012. Mr. Latham summarized the responses to the memo prepared by Staff Planner, Jessie Wilson. Truck Rental — More detail has been provided on the plans as well as truck turning radii. The change in location to the truck rental spaces has greatly improved parking maneuverability. The sizes of the trucks to be used were also provided. Open Storage — The open storage areas to the right of the building will be used primarily for staging and the area within the front of the store will be used for the display and sale of product. The 28 spaces in front of the garden center to be located in the parking lot will be used for seasonal display for garden center items. Operating Procedure — The Operating Store Restriction Placard (OSRP) is a mechanism for conveying the limitations as to what is permitted for that particular store. Sidewalk — The storage areas have been revised to allow for proper ADA compliance. Open Storage Delineation — The open storage areas within the concrete area will be delineated by paint and the area for seasonal storage in the parking lot will be cordoned off with concrete block to be used as posts with wooden rails attached to those blocks. Page 1 of 4 CPDC Minutes of 7/9/2012 Mr. Weston invited questions from the Board. Mr. Adams was concerned with the open storage areas in the concrete apron and thought those were to be removed entirely. Mr. Tuttle responded that the idea was to ensure proper pedestrian passage. Mr. Weston asked about the plan for delineation and how the parking spaces would be delineated. Mr. Kerekes replied that the spaces would be painted with "truck rental spaces" and the same with the "Load -N -Go" spaces. Mr. Weston wanted to ensure that those spaces were property delineated so that other retail customers do not use those spaces for parking. Mr. Weston did express concern for trucks that will be returned to the incorrect spaces and that there should be a condition added into the decision requiring staff to promptly move trucks to the designated spaces. Mr. Zambouras, Town Engineer expressed concern regarding the pedestrian walkway between the open storage areas on the concrete apron and the fire lane. He recommended that the plan be revised to provide at least 4 -feet and that it be clearly identified as a walkway. Mr. Weston questioned the turning movements for the rental trucks and was concerned with the number of movements needed to park the vehicle. This may become cumbersome for inexperienced drivers. Mr. Dunford replied that the change in location for the truck rental spaces allowed for much better maneuvering into and out of the spaces. Backing into the spaces is easier and allows for the users to pull out when leaving the store. Mr. Zambouras stated it may be difficult for inexperienced drivers to know where the bumper is on these larger trucks. Mr. Adams shared the same concern. Mr. Weston was also concerned that the traffic study may not have been performed during this store's peak time. The Board continued to discuss some other alternatives for the location of the truck rental staging as well as pick -up /drop -off procedures. The applicant replied that the proposed location for the truck rental has proven to be the most suitable in terms of parking maneuverability and site circulation. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to close the Public Hearing for the PUD -I Special Permit and Open Storage Special Permit Modifications for Home Depot located at 60 Walkers Brook Drive. Mr. Adams seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the modifications to the PUD -I Special Permit and Open Storage Special Permit for Home Depot located at 60 Walkers Brook Drive. Mr. Adams seconded and the motion carried 3 -0 -1 (Mr. Hansen abstained). Signage Application: Certification of Appropriateness - Cumberland Farms Mr. Weston opened the discussion for the proposed signage at the Cumberland Farms service station location at 303 Salem Street. He noted that the applicant has received a variance for 2 free - standing signs when only one is allowed and a variance from the height. Mr. Wilson with Cumberland Farms stated that the plan is to remove the existing sign on the building and replace it with a much smaller sign (25.75) square feet after the renovations are complete. The free - standing signs will be for price display. They will be internally illuminated with opaque blue background. Mr. Weston asked if there were any other issues at the site. Mr. Delios replied that there is a small item related to the storefront glass which can be discussed after they review the signage application. Page 2 of 4 CPDC Minutes of 7/9/2012 Mr. Weston invited questions from the Board. No questions were asked. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed signage at 303 Salem Street, Cumberland Farms. Mr. Hansen seconded and the motion carried 4- 0-0. Ms. Delios provided renderings and photos of the proposed renovations which were approved by CPDC in May. The applicant has sought the building permit from the Building Inspector and the issue of the window treatments was discussed. It was the understanding of the Board and the Planning Department the window treatments were to be of a reflective 3M film to aid in blocking the coffee bar equipment. However, the cut sheet provided of the 3M film did not have the reflective look which was expected. After further discussion with the site contractor, in order to achieve the reflective appearance, the interior wall which will face the glass will be painted black. The black wall and the application of the 3M film is what gives the reflective appearance. Ms. Delios went over the revised detail with the Board. The Board was okay with the proposed method and had no additional concerns. Planning Updates and other Business Perfectos Ms. Delios told the Board that a "pre- building permit" meeting was held on July 3, 2012 to discuss the items needed prior to construction. The owner presented a plan with some changes to the fayade material. The approved fagade included a mix of brick and cementitious clapboard. The owner would like to change to all cementitious clapboard. She presented the plan showing the changes, noting that the wall sign on the plan is not approved. One item the owner is working on is an easement from eCars to allow more space for parking at Perfectos. This may be an issue with stormwater calculations. In addition, the lighting is now shown as gooseneck style and ventilation is shown on the roof. Ms. Delios noted that the owner would prefer not to come back to CPDC if the changes were minor enough to be approved by Town Planner or as an update to CPDC. Mr. Weston stated that changing the siding is not that significant of a change, but the lighting may be an issue. He stated if there is a change in the lumens then it should be detailed and reviewed by the Town Planner. Mr. Tuttle agreed that if there is no change in lumens, then it would not be an issue. In regards to the proposed roof ventilation, Mr. Weston agrees they will need some sort of ventilation system. Mr. Weston recommended that the clapboard color vary from the two floors. Bunratty Tavern Ms. Delios told the Board that Bunratty Tavern, an Irish pub, will be going into the MF Charles building. The plans presented at the DRT were well done. The kitchen will be located in the basement along with the utility areas, office areas and storage. The dining room will be located on the main floor which will include casual seating in the front of the restaurant and more formal dining in the rear. There will also be outdoor seating within the courtyard. Although many of the site plan issues were addressed as part of the MF Charles Building Site Plan Review, it was recommended that Bunratty Tavern be reviewed under full site plan review to address specific issues related to restaurant operations. CPDC Re- Organization Page 3 of 4 CPDC Minutes of 7/9/2012 Mr. Tuttle nominated Mr. Adams for the position of Chairman for CPDC from July 2012 to June 2013. Mr. Weston seconded. Mr. Tuttle nominated Mr. Hansen for the position of Secretary for CPDC from July 2012 to June 2013. Mr. Weston seconded. Mr. Tuttle moved to close the nominations. Mr. Weston seconded for the position of Chairman and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Mr. Weston seconded for the position of Secretary and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Approval of Minutes Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC approve the minutes from June 21, 2012 CPDC meeting as amended. Mr. Adams seconded and the motion carried 3 -0 -1 (Mr. Hansen abstained). Mr. Weston tabled the approval of the June 25, 2012 CPDC meeting minutes to the July 23, 2012 meeting. On a motion by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Adams, the CPDC voted to adjourn at 9:05 PM by a vote of 4 -0 -0. Respectfully Submitted, Jessie Wilson Recording Secretary Page 4 of 4