HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-10 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: September 10, 2012
Location: Selectmen's Meeting Room Time: 7:30 PM
Members Present: John Weston, Vice Chairman; David Tuttle, Nick Safina, Jeff Hansen
Members Absent: Charles Adams, Chairman
Also Present: Jean Delios, Town Planner; and Kim Saunders, Recording Secretary
Eilish and Jim Havey, Bunratty Tavern
Courtenay Dean Wallace, Architect
Arthur Kliepfel, Oaktree Development
Ruth Clay, Town Health Director
George Zambouras, Town Engineer
There being a quorum the Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM.
Bunratty Tavern, 622 Main Street
Site Plan Review Public Hearing
The Chair opened the public hearing for the site plan review for Bunratty Tavern. Mr. Tuttle read the
legal notice.
Ms. Delios gave a brief overview of the site that Mr. & Mrs. Havey would like to renovate. It is located
at the old Sense of Wonder in the MF Charles building, closest to the courtyard. She stated that having a
public hearing allowed the abutters to be notified of the meeting. There will be renovations to the
basement, I" floor and outside. The courtyard was already approved. She believes the restaurant will
add new foot traffic and contribute to the Smart Growth.
Mr. Wallace represented the applicant. He reviewed the plans submitted and went through what existed
and what is being proposed. He stated the first floor will be where the lounge, bar and restaurant type
seating will be. There will be two handicap bathrooms located in the rear. There are stairs that lead to
the basement. The basement will have the following areas: kitchen galley, mechanical room, dry
storage, janitorial, linen, prep, storage, administrative office, and employee bathrooms. Mr. Weston
questioned what the stairs that go straight outside will be used for; and the difficulties that may arise
with the 90 degree turn. Mr. Wallace said it is for emergency and getting the patio furniture in and out.
There will be no deliveries made through this entrance.
The applicant stated the owner is presenting the site as a "vanilla box ". The owner's will be responsible
for sprinklers, landscaping and everything outside. The applicant is responsible for interior changes.
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CPDC Minutes of 09/10/2012
JH questioned if the applicant was responsible for patio maintenance. It was clarified that the property
owner will be responsible for the construction of the patio and courtyard and continued maintenance.
Patio furnishing such as tables will be the responsibility of the applicant.
The courtyard area was discussed. The patrons will be seated by a hostess; they will not be able to enter
through the courtyard. The landscape will be done by owners of the building. Those plans were already
submitted. The boundary lines and walkway were reviewed. It was suggested the area that is not being
used by the restaurant patrons could be used by other tenants. . Mr. Safina suggested the applicant to
look at
Bertucci's to see what they did to be able to obtain a liquor license for outside seating. The Commission
wanted to make sure no structural changes were being done. Looking at the rendering, it appeared the
roof was jagged. Mr. Wallace assured them no structural change. Any changes to the outside beyond
what was approved would require the landlord to submit a minor modification.
Mr. Safma stated the mural can be painted as high as presented; due to the neighboring building doing
some exterior changes. It was suggested that the two business owners to work together regarding the
mural.
The memo that Ms. Delios sent to the CPDC dated September 5, 2012 was discussed. Mr. Wallace
replied to the memo earlier with his responses.
Having no trash room was discussed. The trash will be immediately taken out when needed. The
storage for recyclables will be in the Mechanical Room. The restaurant will call vendors to pickup the
empties. Everything will go downstairs; there will be no scraping of dishes upstairs. There might be a
tote to dump used dishes and glasses in; and the dishwasher will pick up the tote and bring downstairs.
The windows in the front will have wooden louvers and plain glass. The windows on the patio side
were discussed. The applicant would like operable windows; Ms. Delios stated Ruth Clay, the Town of
Reading Health Director said the windows have to be fixed. Ms. Delios to forward on a meeting request
with owners and Ms. Clay. The lighting will be consistent what was approved under the MF Charles
Building project.
Motion made by Mr. Tuttle to close public hearing. Mr. Safina seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0.
The draft Decision was reviewed by the Commission. There were some changes they suggested:
Findings:
• #1 - the approximately 3.400 square feet should be changed to 7,000 square feet.
• #10 - strike out 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. after Sunday
• #15 —add "storage of recyclables should not impede egress"
• #17 — it was noted this is the owners responsibility not applicant
Conditions:
• #9 — strike out "Applicant shall submit plans and and/or evidence that the"
• #9 — change "are" to :must be" and add "as approved in the "MF Charles Building" project Site
Plan Review Decision"
• #12 — strike "The proposed sconce detail deviates from the approved lighting... Review"
• "Storage of recyclables should not impede egress
After Certificate of Occupancy:
• #3 — strike "Any plantings that are damaged by snow... winter season"
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CPDC Minutes of 09/10/2012
• #3 — add " maintain egress path during the winter"
The applicant asked about an etching on the windows; and if it goes towards the number of signs
allowed. Ms. Delios said she will follow up with applicant.
The awnings are already approved and are being supplied by landlord. If the applicant would like to
change the awnings and the landlord approves; Ms. Delios can approve.
The lights will be shut off when the owner leaves.
Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the Site Plan Review Decision, 622 Main Street as
amended. Mr. Safma seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0.
Approval Not Required (ANR), Pearl Street
Mr. Zambouras let the Commission know there is one buildable lot. The other two will probably be sold
to the abutters.
Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the ANR on Pearl Street and Audubon Road. Mr.
Weston seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0
Oaktree, 30 Haven Street
Master Signage Plan Certificate of Appropriateness JH is questioning why a Master Signage Plan for
Haven Street is necessary. It was clarified that a Master Signage Plan establishes guidelines for that
building. When the CPDC approves the Master Signage Plan, and individual sign application may be
issued directly from the Building Inspector IF it conforms to the approved Master Signage Plan. It
essentially eliminates a step for current and future tenants.
Ms. Delios stated that in order to keep the outside building uniform the landlord will be responsible for
the awnings. The awnings will be mono color. It was discussed by the Commission if the plans are
missing an awning. There will be no awnings in the back. The blade signs are the responsibility of the
tenants. There will be no signs on the side of "Atlantic Way ". The Commission would like signs in the
back so customers know they can walk through the building. The blade and wall signs will be part of
the Master Signage Plan.
The Certificate of Appropriateness was reviewed and the Commission took out condition 42 and added
"Although Master Signage plan applies to the Haven Street — front elevation; elements may be followed
for the rear elevation at the discretion of the town Planer.
Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the Master Signage Plan as amended. Mr. Hansen
seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0
Medical Marijuana By -Law
Ms. Clay reviewed why the Town should amend the zoning bylaws by adding the definition of medical
marijuana treatment center. This will be a preemptive strike if ballet 43 passes in November 2012. .
She let the Commission know there is a difference between the THC drug (which is what helps the relief
of pain) and what the dispensing centers have. The THC is approved by the FDA and pharmacy's can
still fill a prescription for patients that need it. The centers can grow their own marijuana and is not
FDA approved. There is no standardization. There have been crime issues reported in states that have
legalized medical marijuana. . Food with Marijuana can be sold at these centers. Other cities and
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CPDC Minutes of 09/10/2012
towns are working to do this also; so no one stands alone. The CPDC needs to vote whether or not to
hold a public hearing to be able to put this bylaw change on the Town warrant.
Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to propose the zoning bylaw for medical marijuana as presented to
Board of Selectmen for Town meeting. Mr. Safina seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0.
Parking By -Law
The Commission reviewed what Ms. Wilson, Town Staff Planner, created for changes to 6.1 Off - Street
Parking and Loading Areas by -law. The Commission suggested some changes:
6.1.1.5
• (a) "...served, by deed, .."
• (b) "between sites is provided the distance between the site of use building ...., it is
recommended four hundred (400) feet with six hundred (600) feet absolute maximum:.
• (d) "...or other non residential area uses as the principal.."
6.1.1.6
• (a) "...by the owners in the event the CPDC, ..."
• (b) "A written agreement acceptable to the CPDC defining the joint use.."
6.1.1.8
• "Reserved Parking Spaces:" to "Phased Parking Spaces:
• (a) "...forth in Section 6.1.1.3 and ..."
• (b) "shall be labeled as "phased parking" on the site plan.."
• (c) "may be designated for future construction."
• (d) " the phased spaces" shall be constructed upon.."
Remote Parking Facility should be changed to "..for the use of building the parking facility serves."
The letter to the Board of Selectmen drafted by Ms. Wilson was read by Ms. Delios and discussed
with the Commission.
Motion made by Mr. Weston to recommend the letter to Mr. Adams, Chairman to approve the
letter to the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Tuttle seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0.
Planning Updates & Other Business
August 27, 2012 CPDC Minutes
Mr. Weston recommended to leaving the minutes to the next meeting.
MAPC Mapping Priorities
Ms. Delios reviewed the MAPC Mapping project
Ms. Delios let the Commission know that the Oaktree Development is moving forward. The tenants
are ready, but not owners.
Motion made by Mr. Tuttle to adjourn at 10:45 p.m. Mr. Safina seconded. Vote was 4 -0-
O.Respectfully Submitted,
Kim Saunders
Recording Secretary
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