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Home My WebLink About1985-07-10 Planning Board MinutesMinutes of the Meeting of July 10, 1985. John Wood called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. with Board members M. Slezak, D. Devine and S. Trainor present. Bruce Morang of the Chronicle, members of the Board of Public Works and Industrial Development Commission were present as well as 6 other citizens. Trancoa - Ash Street Mr. Frederick Putnam of H.J. Davis C of Brookline had asked that the Board set aside some timeeto present their proposal for the rehabilitation of the Trancoa property off Ash Street. Mr. Putnam introduced Mr. Jack Slater, attorney with Berndorf. Goodman; and Mr. Roger Stix of Transitron. Mr. Putnam informed the Board that H.J. Davis currently has the property under agreement, which includes 27..acres plus the plant. Expected closing on the property is in September. They will be appearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday, July 18, 1985 to seek to continue using the access road off Ash Street and to gain permission to rehabilitate the building. The 3 reasons that they asked to appear before the Planning Board were: - Make the Planning Board aware of the proposed development; - Ascertain what plan the town has for the neighborhood in order that they might be able to assess the marketing of the building and the site; and - To solicit any support of this project that the Planning Board would deem appropriate in this regard for their petition before the Zoning Board of Appeals. Current plans are to renovate the building with a brick facade, new roof and interior renovations. Heating, electrical work will also be updated. Expected timetable is: Early September for start of construction; March for rental /occupancy. They expect to market this area for office, research and development and light assembly. They expect a computer - related client that would have some optical assembly requirements for use. Mr. Putnam stated that such a use is a higher industrial use and is considered a "clean" use. Mr. Slater spoke on behalf of their appeal to the ZBA. He was seeking to continue a non - conforming use; continued right of way over the access road off Ash Street, and a variance to renovate /rehabilitate the building. A discussion on this ensued but the Board deferred further discussion as this matter was an appeal to the ZBA. Mr. Stix spoke of the former use; the clean -up of the hazardous waste found on the site and the timetable that Trancoa had used/ closed the building. Discussion on traffic, parking and other impacts ensued. At 8:00 P.M., the Board thanked Mr. Putnam for his presentation and discontinued further discussion on this matter. 7/10/85 + Page 2 Minot, DeBlois & Maddison John Street Studv Ms. Pam McKinney handed the Board members copies of the Phase I report. She asked that the Board review this material and red ink their comments, return them to her and she would incorporate them into her study. She asked that the Board concentrate on the discussion materials and the agenda she had set up for this evening's meeting and read /review the report after the meeting. Highlights of Ms. McKinney's report included (as attached): - identification of areas and their proposed uses for the 3 scenarios as presented in the RFP; - hydrogeological conditions and the premium costs that these factors would add to development; - type /height /density of use of the land area for the 3 scenarios; and - timetable for final report; presentation and Town Meeting. The Board discussed the hydrogeological impacts on cost; use of land areas and the timetable for final presentation to Town Meeting. Mr. Griffin stated his concern with the ability to support the density of development with water supply. Ms. McKinney said that these assessments would be done in the next phase and their impacts would be presented in a cost /benefit comparison of the 3 scenarios. Both Ms. Trainor and Mr. William Brown spoke on the thoroughness, conciseness and clarity of the presentation and looked forward to the final results. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted (4 -0 -0) to accept the Phase I report as presented. The Board promised to review the materi on to Ms. McKinney as soon as possible. meeting will be August 14th. Phase III that time. Special Town Meeting should September. Town Meeting has a 3 -4 week both the Selectmen and Town Clerk. Aquifer Protection Plan it and send their comments The next scheduled and IV will be ready by be scheduled for mid -to -late lead time necessary for Board reviewed draft overview of the Aquifer Protection Plan as prepared. Board's concerns were: • 208 of allowable coverage for lot area would throw current zoning into non - conformity for that area; current requirement is 258; • monitoring of underground storage tanks should be more stringent; • overlay boundary districts should be by street /lot lines; • problems with subsurface disposal and requirement /enforcement of sewer tie -ins for area residents; • encouragement that cedar Swamp be protected as our future water supply area; • mechanism for bringing this by -law /map to Town Meeting. 7/10/85 ' Page 3 Ms. Trainor spoke of her frustration in not having information ready beforehand so that board could review it. Mr. Slezak said that the overview was material for tonight's discussion and that the Board should have prepared their own list of concerns /recommendations on this proposal. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was the Board's unanimous vote to have Mr. Wood draft a letter of acceptance on the water/ aquifer plan for the Board's review at next week's meeting. Reuse Rezoning An overview of a Special Permit process for reusing former muni- cipally owned or school buildings was presented to the Board. Ms. Trainor again stated her objection to receiving information at the meeting and not being able to read and prepare for this before- hand. The Board reviewed the draft proposal. The scheduled meeting for Monday, July 15th was called by the Board of Selectmen and would have Mr. Rivers, Attorney Brad Latham and the Planning Board come together to discuss rezoning the Community Center property.. The Board discussed this matter and decided to meet with the Selectmen and hear their proposal. They would continue discussion on this matter after their meeting with the Selectmen. Ms. Trainor left the meeting at this time. Correspondence Board deferred action on the correspondence. Mr. Slezak asked that the Board review the letter from Beacon Fellowship regarding the construction of a church on the former Reading Supply foundation at 1078 Main Street. Board has researched some restrictions for parking and traffic controls for churches in the past. The Board asked that a letter be sent requesting information on their building, layout of parking; normal service hours and traffic control for the proposed project. Work Schedule Board asked that Ms. Plansky continue to work extra hours to do the necessary work and not to go to summer hours (10 hours per week) at this time. There being no further business before the Board, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 11:50 P.M. Respectfully submitted, John D. Wood, Clerk (Chairman pro -tem) June 28, 1485 Dear Doug, After reading last evenings local newspaper, I am. sure you were expecting ,.r:_:. ':,ding tlu c Q' that very detailed ._.:,_cunt ,r+ cur Planning 5oars rrreetwg <.f June 25, it roust be quite clear that a communication barrier exlsts between our respective department heads. The principals involved in this situation appear to be at an irnpass. The Planning Board believes that it is in the best interest of effective town goverrimment, that communication be reestablished and maintained between our staff members. %de believe it is nessarg once again to sit dawn together, both Boards and both department heads, and attempt to resolve this present umwrrrkable situation. The Planning Board wrouid be most grateful if you could block some dsrr;a time for _a at you next regularlu scheduled meeting. We are grilling to resolve r}ris issue in either public or executive session. Please feel free to ra'.l to notify me. of your decision. Sincerely, Plaureer, Pu:h Cherrrnan, Peading Planning Board