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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-05-20 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.reading.ma.us Community Planning and Development Commission CPDC MINUTES Meeting Dated May 20, 2013 Location: Selectmen's Meeting Room Time: 7:30 PM CPDC Members Present: Charlie Adams, Chair; John Weston, David Tuttle, Nick Safina, and Jeff Hansen Also Present: Jean Delios Town Planner /Community Services Director and Jessie Wilson, Staff Planner and Recording Secretary Others Present: Tim O'Dea — 231 Haven Street There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. 231 Haven Street — Certificate of Appropriateness, Blade Sizn Ms. Wilson told the Board she had been working with the owner, Tim O'Dea on a sign design and he has come up with a blade sign design before them tonight. It was questioned whether the barber pole graphic was flat or round. Mr. O'Dea thought it was to be flat. Mr. Adams asked whether the bracket is strong enough to hold the sign. Ms. Delios replied that the Building Inspector does look at the bracket design to ensure it is sufficient. Mr. Adams also asked about the sign material. Mr. Tuttle responded that sign foam is similar to a high density Styrofoam. Ms. Delios also added that there are several signs around Town that are made from sign foam. Mr. O'Dea asked if he could install lighting in the future to illuminate the sign in the winter months. The CPDC felt that the cut sheets of the proposed signage could be reviewed and approved administratively by the Town Planner. The CPDC also agreed to include a condition in the approval that the Applicant may choose whether he wants the barber pole graphic to be flat or rounded. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the sign at O'Deas Barber Shop as amended. Mr. Hansen seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Medical Marijuana Moratorium Ms. Delios explained that the Board has a draft warrant article for a temporary moratorium on medical marijuana treatment centers. This language was modeled off of the Town of Burlington's bylaw. The moratorium essentially gives the Town more time to review the issue and to better address the issues Page 1 of 4 CPDC Minutes of 5/20/2013 related to this type of use. She further added that the AG's office has indicated there is no "set" timeline for the moratorium and it would be based on the needs of the Town. We also received clarification from Town Counsel regarding the date it becomes effective. The moratorium becomes effective the date the Town Meeting approves it, however, there is a "freeze" on any applications for this type of use from the date of the first publication of the zoning amendment. Mr. Safina asked what the timeline was for the proposed zoning re -work. Ms. Delios replied that a draft request for proposals (RFP) was included in their packets and with a few minor tweaks it could be put out very quickly. However, before we get too far along, she told the CPDC it would be best to get an idea on how to approach the comprehensive zoning update. The CPDC discussed various issues that will go along with completing a comprehensive update to the zoning bylaw. A phased approached was discussed which would include a re- codification phase and then the second phase address more substantive changes. It was agreed that various Boards and Committees need to be involved to get an idea on the issues they may have with the current bylaw. It was also recommended that staff conduct a meeting similar to at DRT to get staff input about the bylaw. The Board also discussed the role of the consultant also noting that it may be more appropriate to put out an RFQ as opposed to an RFP. Mr. Weston pointed out that a consultant may not be needed for the first phase of re- codification but that they would be more helpful in addressing the more substantive changes. Ms. Delios agreed, noting that staff will likely handle a lot of the public meetings. Mr. Tuttle pointed out that the bylaw still needs to be maintained during the process and that they should continually work on items that can be easily addressed. Mr. Safina expressed concern that it could get confusing with so many changes in the bylaw, especially when referring back to requirements called out in Site Plan Review. Mr. Weston suggested that each change should be evaluated for its impact and then the priority on when to change it can be determined. Some of the initial issues the CPDC outlined included: the Dover Amendment, signs, Non - Conforming, and Mixed -Use Overlay. Ms. Delios also talked about the timeline. The money is available for the comprehensive update, and she assumes that it would not be ready for Town Meeting approval until November of 2014. However, that does not mean that we cannot take some of these smaller issues back to Town Meeting before that. It was agreed on the following steps: - The zoning update will likely be done in two phases. - A DRT will be held to get comments from other staff and Boards /Committees /Commissions. - Staff will work with Town Counsel. - Continue to work on the small issues and then bring the entire bylaw back to November Town Meeting in 2014. Ms. Delios will provide a draft memo for the next meeting which will include a rough outline on how we think this process will move forward. The CPDC can then review that and we can then submit it to the Board of Selectmen and other Boards for their knowledge that this is coming. Mr. Adams directed the conversation back to Medical Marijuana, ending the discussion for the Zoning Bylaw Update. Page 2 of 4 CPDC Minutes of 5/20/2013 Mr. Weston expressed concern on how the draft language was written, specifically on how it mentioned that medical marijuana treatment centers are currently not allowed. There was additional discussion regarding the proposed "purpose" language. Ms. Delios told the CPDC that it is important to keep that language in there to show why Reading is proposing the moratorium. As she mentioned before, the AG's Office indicated there is no set timeline for the moratorium and it is based on the need of the Town. The CPDC continued to discuss the proposed language. Mr. Tuttle suggested they expand this to include other not foreseen uses. That way, there is no scramble to address a use which is not defined in the bylaw. Mr. Adams asked if Staff can follow up to ensure the proposed definition covers what is allowed under state law and also recommended modifying the purpose to be more tailored to Reading's needs. Ms. Delios replied that she will work on this and coordinate as much as possible with the AG's Office. It was agreed to review the draft language again before making any recommendations to the Board of Selectmen. Planning Updates MF Charles Building — The Pre - Construction Meeting was held last week and they have filed for their building permit. The work up to date has been demolition and they are now ready to start the interior work. Perfecto's — The contractor came in last week looking to file for the demo permit. However, he indicated that the asbestos removal /roof demo was scheduled for Memorial Day Weekend. He has not receive the permit yet and we have limited permitted construction hours this weekend (none on Sunday or legal Holidays). South Main Street Diet — We have a meeting scheduled with CTPS to evaluate some ideas for the South Main Street Diet. NSPC Public Health Forum — The meeting is this Wednesday, May 22, 2013 in the evening. Ms. Wilson will forward the invitation. Approval of Minutes The CPDC reviewed the minutes from the May 6, 2013 meeting and suggested minor edits. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the minutes from May 6, 2013 CPDC meeting as amended. Mr. Safina seconded and the motion carried 5 -0 -0. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Hansen, the CPDC voted to adjourn at 9:50 PM by a vote of 5 -0 -0. Respectfully Submitted, Page 3 of 4 Jessie Wilson Recording Secretary CPDC Minutes of 5/20/2013 Page 4 of 4