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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-18 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTown of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 -2683 Phone: 781 - 942-6612 Fax 781- 942 -9071 Email: jAe1m@.irea8ing.me us Community Planning and Development Commission CPDC MINUTES Meeting Dated March 18, 2013 Location: Selectmen's Meeting Room Time: 7:30 PM CPDC Members Present Charlie Adams, Chair; John Weston, Nicholas Salina, David Tuttle, and Jeff Hansen Also Present: Jessie Wilson, Staff Planner and Kim Saunders, Recording Secretary Others Present: Josh Latham, 643 Main Street Susan Fitzgerald, 24 Woburn Street Chris & Lisa LaSpino, 1082 Main Street Carol Watts, 1081 Main Street Jay Hicks, Anis Senior Living Brad Latham, 643 Main Street Grant Gan, Avana Sushi III There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM. 87 Walkers Brook Drive Shell Station & Proposed Dunkin Donuts Mr. Adams let the Commission know that the applicant requested a continuation. Mr. Josh Latham represented the applicant. The following was stated: • Working on leased parking spaces with the abutter • Having 10 parking spaces for employees and storage. If the applicant is allowed the 10 spaces this will help with loading and delivery • The right of way will be one way entrance and exit • The 12' addition to the boundary line between buildings. Engineering recalculating the by -pass lane going around the building with this addition. There should be comments from the engineer by end of the week • The snow storage and parking agreement would be a 5 year lease • A traffic study done in Nashua similar to this location, but with 1 serving window. There were 9 vehicles during the peak hours. After 10 a.m. only 7 car transaction. They don't feel Dunkin Donuts peak time will affect Walkers Brook delivery times. • The lighting plan revision should be ready by the end of the week. Mr. Latham let the Commission know the applicants are making good progress and are meeting what is needed. Motion made by Mr. Tattle to move the CPDC to continue the Public Hearing to April 8a at 8:00 p.m. Mr. Hansen seconded Vote was 5 -0-0. Page t of 5 CPDC Minutes of 3/13/2013 Benjamin Lane Subdivision - Bond Reduction Request Ms. Wilson reviewed the memo from George Zamboums, Town Engineer allowing the bond reduction request. She stated $925.00 will be released to the developer and $75.00 will go towards the Engineering Departments cost associated with the recording of the easement. Mr. Weston questioned whose responsibility is it for the recording. He stated in the future the developer should be charged for the Town employee time for the recording. Mr. Hanson questioned if the right box was checked off on the form. Motion made by Mr. Tuttle to move the CPDC to approve the bond reduction to release $925.00 and authorize $75.00 recording fee. Mr. Adams seconded Vote was 5 -0-D. 246 Woburn Street —Family Dentistry — Special Permit for Free - Standing Sign - Ms. Wilson let the Commission know while doing sign inventory for the Town she found nothing on file regarding a permit for the sign at 246 Woburn Street. To clean things up she would need a special permit from the CPDC to approve the sign. Ms. Wilson asked the owners how long the sign has been installed and where the lights were located. The homeowners said the sign has been there for 19 years and the two flood lights are at ground level shining up to the sign. Ms. Wilson asked and was confirmed that the finding #4 on the special permit stands. Motion made by Mr. Tuttle to move the CPDC to approve the special permit for the free standing sign at 246 Woburn Street. Mr. Safrna seconded Vote was 5 -0-0. 589 Main Street — Avana Sushi III — Certificate of Appropriateness for Awning Sign The Commission discussed the awning with Ms. Wilson and Mr. Gao at Excel Signs. The Commission expressed their concerns regarding color and even installing an awning at the location. If allowed, there would be 3 awnings all with different shapes and colors. The sign for Jenny Boston would get lost with all the awnings. The Commission stated that the building needs consistency; maybe a Master Signage plan needed. It was asked if the applicant would do a wall sign instead of the awning; if so, they could use the color salmon that was presented. Mr. Gao stated that Haven Seafood and Avana are two different businesses and they would like the public to know this. He suggested the same shape awning as Louisa's Pizza but in burgundy. It was asked that Mr. Gao talk to the applicant and come back with a couple of samples to Ms. Wilson. Ms. Wilson will present to the CPDC meeting on April 8t'. Zonine Amendment, Section 4.3.1.4 Nursine Homes Review draft Article for Special Town Meeting Mr. Brad Latham represented the applicant. He presented zoning changes under 4.3.1.4 which his client would need in order to continue with his process to build at 1090 Main Street. If the CPDC would approve the zoning amendment it could be put on the warrant for the Town Meeting next month. The warrant, however, closes tomorrow night so the CPDC would need to approve tonight. He reviewed how the Town adopted a provision for a nursing home as a special permit which allowed single family districts to have nursing homes. He let the Commission know that Wingate is an example of this special permit. He went over intersections showing how the zoning change does not impact the town; how the language will only change to allow this site to be used. The Commission questioned and discussed the rush on the vote. Should they allow a zoning change for a specific site? The nursing home definition was questioned. Why is it broader than the state definition? They disagreed with paragraph K on the zoning amendment. This will take away the requirement for the 10% Page 2 of 5 CPDC Minutes of 3/182013 affordable housing. Mr. Latham stated that since they are a private paying facility and do not accept Medicare or Medicaid this Town rule does not include their facility. The Commission told the applicant he can make a donation to the RHA in lieu of having affordable housing. Mr. Hicks stated to the Commission that the dementia facility would be an asset to the Town of Reading. They couldn't shrink the facility for the safety of the patients. They do not want to move the building location due to the neighbor's privacy and the Wetland restriction. He stated allowing the facility gives the Town revenue and there would no impact to the school systems. Ms. LaSpino talked about how nice this facility sounds for the patients. Having it built in a residential area is a positive. Mrs. Kouki let the Commission know she is in favor of the new facility. She believes it is an improvement to what is there now. She stated the developer has been working with neighbors and working out their concerns. The Commission reviewed and discussed the warrant article that Mr. Latham drafted. They suggested taking out the date and changing Main Street to state highway. Mr. Latham reiterated any concerns that the Commission might have can be brought up as a special permit. The Commission and the applicant talked about the affordable housing again. Would not having this facility count as affordable housing make the Town go backwards? The applicant stated he is willing to look into their concerns. Patrick Hollan, Artis Senior Living, let the Commission know he has built assisted living facilities and the patients do not cook in their rooms; so affordable housing doesn't count for them. Mr. Safina said he could forward information to Mr. Hicks on people who work with affordable housing to see about their options. Motion made by Mr. Turtle to move the CPDC to recommend the warrant article, as amended The amendments will have Main Street be changed to state highway, deleting item 4 and deleting the date. Mr. Safina seconded Vote was 5 -0-0. Gateway Sian— Review and Comment on Design Ms. Wilson reviewed the Gateway Sign that is being proposed at Pulte Homes. It is part of the developer's mitigation. It will improve the existing sign. The bottom panel on the renderings shown is the one that will be used. There will be a total of 8 spaces on the sign. The Commission asked about how the groups were chosen to be on the sign. Ms. Wilson stated she was not sure, but Wilson Landscape Design will also be one of the companies; which the Commission understood because of their work at Pulte Homes. The Commission questioned if the slots were leased and if not, why the advertising for the organizations. Ms. Wilson stated Masons and Rotary are added because it is in exchange for the pole that is located there now with their advertisements. The sign layout was talked about. The Commission wants to make sure there is not too much text. The letters shown are too small to read. Maybe block lettering would be better. Ms. Wilson let the Commission know that Ms. Delios is working with Ms. Ann Dicimo on the sign. There is no action needed from the CPDC. Page 3 of 5 CPDC Minutes of 3/182013 Plannine Updates & Other Business • Approval of March 4, 2013 CPDC Minutes — Motion made to move the CPDC to approve the minutes from March 4, 2013 as amended Mr. Weston seconded Vote was 5 -&0. • Approval of March 13, 2013 CPDC Minutes Motion made to move the CPDC to approve the minutes from March 13, 2013. Mr. Weston seconded Vote was 5 -0-0. Ms. Wilson discussed the following with the Commission: • Perfecto's has a place holder for the upcoming ZBA meeting. She stated the engineer was not confident that all the information needed will be available for them to attend. They are on the CPDC's April ll" agenda. • Mr. Hansen and Mr. Weston will not be able to attend the April 8th meeting. That meeting agenda already has a public hearing for the zoning map, Perfecto's, JK's Market and the continuation from tonight. A public hearing is needed for 1090 Main Street to make recommendation for the Town Meeting. Mr. Weston asked if any items on the agenda can be pushed off. Ms. Wilson stated she did not think so. JK's Market is on a deadline because of the liquor license. The next meeting after the Town meeting is May e. • An abutter from Planet Fitness called to say the lighting at night from inside the building is very bright. Is there something the CPDC can do about it, there are no conditions for interior illumination. • On April 10" the CPDC is invited to the NSPC, downtown North Suburban Walk. They will view all the building improvements in Reading, including Oaktree. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Hansen, the CPDC voted to adjourn at 10:10 PM by a vote of 5 -0-0. Respectfully Submitted, Kim Saunders Recording Secretary Page 4 of 5 CPDC Minutes of 3/18/2013 Page 5 of 5