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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-12-10 Community Planning and Development Commission Minuteso� °FRS. Town of Reading a� y 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 -2683 Phone: 781 - 92 12 �6 P� F. 781- 42 -90n 3g INC ORP�a Email jieliosQaci.re in8.ma.us Community Planning and Development Commission CPDC MINUTES Meeting Dated December 10, 2012 Location: Selectmen's Meeting Room Time: 7:30 PM CPDC Members Present: John Weston, Nicholas Satins, David Tuttle, and Jeff Hansen CPDC Members Absent: Charlie Adams, Chair Also Present: Jean Delius Town Planner /Community Services Director and Jessie Wilson, Staff Planner and Recording Secretary Others Present: Bridget Souza, 100 Commerce Way, Woburn Frances Darian Colamsso, 300 Haverhill Street Brian Jones, 100 Commerce Way, Woburn Dave O'Sullivan, 18 Thomdike Street Everett Blodgett, 99 Prescott Street Gary DINapoli, 21 Baldwin Lane William Bergeron, 603 Salem Street, Wakefield There being a quorum the Mr. Weston called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. St Athaoasius Parish 312 Haverhill Street — Site Plan Review Public Hearing Mr. Hansen read the legal notice. Mr. Weston summarized the process for Site Plan Review. Ms. Bridget Souza from Allen & Major Engineering Inc., presented the project. The proposed improvements include repaving the parking lot, adding a driveway to improve site circulation and services to the church. The project also proposes ADA compliant handicap spaces and access to the front of the church. The plan also calls for additional parking spaces at the "PAC" Center and ADA compliant spaces at the rear of the lot. Other items include the installation of a bike rack and dumpster enclosure. Stormwater on -site will be collected in a swale at the northern side of the lot. The project will match existing grades so the drainage will be unchanged. In addition, the Applicant is also proposing a bio-retention garden. The project will be constructed in three Phases. Phase I includes the widening of the existing curb cut which will allow for two exit lanes, the widening of the drive aisle in the parking lot, repaving of the parking lot, a new sidewalk along the parking lot, a concrete pad and enclosure for the dumpster, the installation of the bio- retention garden and the curb cut for the future driveway. Ms. Souza explained that the Applicant is willing to work with the Town on the future Haverhill Street project. The Town would like include a l0 -foot wide bike lane on Haverhill Street which would require the curb line to be pushed back to the property line. As a result, the Applicant would have to grant the Town an easement for the sidewalk and public access. Phase 2 involves the construction of the new driveway and accessible ramps as well as the landscaping. Phase 3 involves a new walking path from the Page 1 of 6 CPDC Minutes of 12/10/2012 rear of the lot to the back of the church. In order to construct this path, a retaining wall will need to be constructed. Two other walkways will then be removed to allow for a more open green area. Mr. Salina questioned the timeline for paving. Ms. Souza replied it is anticipated the work will be done in one week, Monday- Friday as to not disrupt church services. Mr. Safina asked where the stormwater drains are from the parking lot. Ms. Souza replied the stormwater enters the swale and then into the wetlands adjacent to the property. Mr. Hansen asked why the new curb cut was to be part of Phase land whether there would be any fencing for the cut. Ms. Souza responded that it was a recommendation from the Town since Haverhill Street will be repaved in the spring. There will be a fence or landscaping temporarily placed at the new curb cut to prevent unauthorized entry. Mr. Tuttle noted that a large area of the parking lot is located within the 100 -foot buffer zone of the wetland. Ms. Souza told the CPDC that the Applicant had submitted a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) with the Conservation Commission. They have received a negative determination and will install erosion control to help limit impact to the adjacent wetlands. Mr. Weston asked Ms. Delius if there was any internal discussion about the Applicant proposing a second curb cut when the standard is for only one driveway. Ms. Delios replied that it was not discussed specifically. Mr. David O'Sullivan also representing St. Athanesius Parish replied that the curb cut is only proposed for one -way. He further replied that the parking lot experiences severe congestion during services and that many patrons park on Haverhill Street to avoid the long delays in navigating the parking lot. Mr. Weston asked if there was a detail of how the driveway crosses the sidewalk. Ms. Souza replied they do not have one, but they could develop that detail. Ms. Weston replied that a marking could be applied to the asphalt for the sidewalk. Ms. Souza told the CPDC that there will be crosswalk hatchings on the driveway. This particular area may be re- designed if the Applicant works with the Town as part of the Haverhill Street project. Ms. Delios confirmed that the Applicant would be providing the easement to the Town and also constructing that portion of the sidewalk. Ms. O'Sullivan replied that nothing has been finalized but the Applicant agrees to work with the Town. Mr. Weston asked about the basin. Ms. Souza explained it is a bio- retention basin used to mitigate stormwater. Currently, this low area receives stormwater and the bio - retention basin would enhance the stormwater mitigation. Mr. Sa£vut asked when the Applicant would like to begin work. Mr. O'Sullivan replied they would like to begin in the spring. A question was asked as to whether the plans before the CPDC were the latest. Ms. Wilson replied yes, the plans in the member packets address are the latest. Ms. Souza also replied that the response letter from Allen & Major is related to those plans. Ms. Delios asked about the plan for lighting. Ms. Souza responded that there are no changes to the existing lighting. Mr. Salina noted that the Applicant will need to get approval from the Board of Selectmen (BOS) for the curb cut. Ms. Delios also noted that the CPDC can approve the Site Plan prior to the BOS approval of the curb cut. Mr. Hansen asked about the donation boxes. Ms. Souza replied that there are donation boxes currently on- site and the Town of Reading's Zoning By -Law does not allow these types of uses. Ms. Delios confirmed that the donation boxes are not allowed under zoning. Mr. Weston added that the CPDC has attempted to address this in the past, but it can be challenging trying to differentiate between the accessory uses such as donation boxes, vending machines, newspaper boxes, etc. Page 2 of 6 CPDC Minutes of 12/10/2012 Mr. Weston expressed concern that the Town Engineer has not opined on the revised plan and recommended the CPDC continue the meeting. That will also allow the CPDC to ensure that all the concerns with stormwater are addressed. Ms. Delius agreed, noting that he has not finished his review on the draft decision. Mr. Weston opened the hearing to the public. There were no comments. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to continue the Public Hearing for 312 Haverhill Street, St. Athanasius Parish Site Plan Review to January 14, 2012 at 7:30PM. Mr. Hansen seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. 484 Main Street — Master Sieaage Plan Certificate of Appropriateness Mr. Tuttle asked if this was the same property that was approved for the barber pole. Mr. Gary DiNapoli, property owner, replied yes. The Master Signage Plan proposes two 2 X 3 wall signs which are black with gold lettering. Mr. DiNapoli said that he wanted to keep it simple and in line with other signage in town. He also replied he would have one gooseneck lamp over the top wall sign. Mr. Weston asked how this fits under zoning. Ms. Wilson replied that a first floor tenant in a multi - tenant building in Business B is allowed two signs. As such, the barber shop is,allowed two signs, one of which can be a wall sign, the other of which can be a projectingfblade sign or another wall sign on a different building fagade. The barber shop will have one of the wall signs and his barber pole is considered a projecting sign. Then Mr. DiNapoli will have one sign for his business upstairs. It was agreed by the CPDC to include a note for the light fixture on the drawing as well as the approximate location of the barber pole. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the Master Signage Plan at 484 Main Street as amended. Mr. Satins seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. 99 Washington Street Parker Tavern — Approval Not Reauired (ANR) Mr. Everett Blodgett, Treasurer of the Reading Antiquarian Society (RAS), owner of the property summarized the intent of the ANR. The plan calls for a consolidation of the lots so that the RAS may construct a shed to house the historic cannon to be on -site. Ms. Wilson confirmed that the Town Engineer has issued a memo and recommended endorsement as an ANR. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to endorse the ANR Plan for parcels 243 and 242 addressed as 99 Washington Street. Mr. Hansen seconded and the motion carried 4 -0-0. Mr. Blodgett requested that the CPDC waive the fee for the ANR filing as the RAS essentially worked on behalf of the Town. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to waive the filing fee for the Parker Tavern ANR at 99 Washington Street. Mr. Hansen seconded and the motion carried 4 -0-0. Page 3 of 6 CPDC Minutes of 12/10/2012 Aogroval of Minutes Mr. Weston recommended approval of the minutes as the meeting was ahead of schedule. The CPDC reviewed the minutes and suggested minor edits. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC approve the minutes from December 5, 2012 meeting as amended. Mr. Hansen seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Kurchian Lane Subdivision — Lot Release Confirmation Ms. Wilson explained to the CPDC that one of the lots within the Kurchian Lane Subdivision is being sold and in order to clear title, the attorneys needed a copy of the Lot Release. The lot release form could not be located, nor was one ever recorded at the registry. However, a memo from the Town Planner dated June 9, 1992 indicated that CPDC took a vote on June 8, 1992 to release all lots of Kurchian Lane. Mr. Weston reviewed the Lot Release Confirmation form. He recommended that the language be modified to indicate that the CPDC confirms the release of the lots and eliminate the meeting date reference in the plan. Ms. Wilson revised the form. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC execute the Lot Release Confirmation for the subdivision lots on Kurchian Lane. Mr. Safina seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. 484 West Street Johnson Woods Phase 1/II — Modification Request Mr. William Bergeron, Engineer from Hayes Engineering represented the property owner Ted Moore. He provided a summary of the requested modifications. The unit styles in Phase I received modification approval in 2010 and to accommodate the conditions of the site and to eliminate the need for blasting the Applicant is proposing to modify the roadway profile for the un- constructed portion of Johnson Woods Drive. The drainage will remain the same. The second proposed change is related to Phase II. The Applicant would like to modify the roadway profile of Taylor Drive in order to save the trees. To do this, the vertical curves were adjusted and it was confirmed by the Town Engineer to be a suitable and more improved design. In addition, the sidewalk location has changed. The Applicant is proposing to move the sidewalk to the curbline and eliminate the grass strip. This is also to save additional trees. Also, the trash compactor has been identified on the plan as well as the parking spaces designated for "trash drop -off'. The walkway from those spaces, to the compactor is also identified on the plan. This plan also identifies a change in the number of visitor parking spaces on Taylor Drive. This will be presented to the CPDC at a later date and will be not part of this request. The third proposed changed is to Talbot Lane. In order to accommodate the changes of Taylor Drive, the profile was adjusted at the intersection with Talbot Lane. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to determine the request for modification for the Johnson Woods, Phase I PUB Special Permit and Site Plan Decision is a minor amendment. Mr. Weston seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Page 4 of 6 CPDC Minutes of 12/10/2012 The CPDC reviewed the draft approvals and suggested grammatical changes Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the request for minor amendment to the PUD Special Permit and Site Plan Decision for Johnson Woods, Phase I as amended. Mr. Weston seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to determine the request for modification for the Johnson Woods, Phase II PUD Special Permit and Site Plan Decision are minor amendments. Mr. Weston seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the request for minor amendments to the PUD Special Permit and Site Plan Decision for Johnson Woods, Phase II as amended. Mr. Weston seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. 273 Salem Street Dunkin Donuts— Certificate of Aoorooriateness for Wall Shmaee Mr. Tuttle asked if this would be a good time to mention to the Applicant the issue with the dumpster as discussed as part of the Planet Fitness site plan review. Ms. Delios reminded the Board that what is before them is an application for signage. She did tell the CPDC that the health regulation require the dumpster to be enclosed if it is visible from the street. Ms. Wilson confirmed also noting that the Health Director has discretion on this issue so it can be enforced if it is not visible. Mr. Safina said that Dunkin Donuts are notorious for over - flowing their dumpster. Ms. Delios said it would be difficult to enforce an issue when the property underwent site plan review so long ago. The CPDC reviewed the proposed wall sign. There was a question as to whether the sign is illuminated. Ms. Delios said that it appears there is an external light above the existing sign. Mr. Safina suggested adding a condition to the approval that no changes are proposed to the existing lighting. Mr. Safina asked if the sign fits under zoning. Ms. Wilson responded yes. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the wall sign for Dunkin Donuts located at 273 Salem Street as amended. Mr. Hansen seconded and the motion carried 4 -0-0. Draft Housine Plan Ms. Wilson told the CPDC that the plan before them reflects the comments from the last review of the CPDC as well as comments from the Town Manager. The primary changes are: - More refined and concrete goals. - Inclusion of the Certification Timeline. Changes to the "gap analysis ". Mr. Hansen asked who in the Town would be monitoring the action plan. Ms. Delios said it all rolls up into Community Services. The CPDC is separate from that. Mr. Tuttle asked what the difference was between the median household income and the median family income. Mr. Weston replied that the US Page 5 of 6 CPDC Minutes of 12/10/2012 Census defines a family as two or more persons who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption who reside in the same house. A household may consist of a persons living alone or multiple unrelated persons living in the same house. The CPDC also discussed the Certification Timeline. Ms. Wilson said that includes projects in the "pipe -line" as projects based on some assumptions with zoning and existing conditions. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to endorse the draft Housing Production Plan for the Town of Reading dated November 1, 2012. Mr. Hansen seconded and the motion carried 4-0-0. Plannine Uodates Ms. Delius provided the CPDC with planning updates. The MF Charles Building project has been issued a demo permit and they will be moving forward with the interior demo. The primary goal is to verify the wall between the insurance company and the bank space can serve for fire protection. The demo team will also begin demolition on the single story portion of the building at the rear of the site. Orange leaf is still coming to town as well as Bumatty Tavern. The Applicant for Perfecto's Caffe has withdrawn their application with the ZBA. Their engineer has developed a plan which does not result in a variance from eCars. They will be back to CPDC for that approval in January. A letter was mailed to the property owner because he does have a defunct sign on the property. A letter was also mailed to the property owner at the comer of Green and High Streets for that defunct sign. It has since been removed. Ms. Wilson asked the CPDC if they would consider issuing a letter of support for the draft Open Space and Recreation Plan. She explained to the CPDC that the plan in which they reviewed has been revised and graphics added, but no substantial changes were made. The CPDC agreed there was nothing in which the CPDC would want to review or further discuss. Ms. Wilson told the CPDC the plan will be presented to the BOS on December 1 So'. The CPDC reviews the draft letter of support. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to endorse the letter of recommendation for the draft Open Space and Recreation Plan 2012 Update as amended. Mr. Weston seconded and the motion carried 4 -0- 0. Mr. Weston tabled the approval of the November 26, 2012 CPDC Minutes to the next meeting. Adiournment On a motion by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Salina, the CPDC voted to adjourn at 10:30 PM by a vote of 4 -0 -0. Respectfully Submitted, Jessie Wilson Recording Secretary Page 6 of 6