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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-27 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutes* _ Town of Reading ECEIV�� Meeting Minutes CLERK i RK r r! N Board - Committee - Commission - Council: P 4-* 45 Community Planning and Development Commission Date: 2014 -01 -27 Time: 7:30 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Charlie Adams - Chair John Weston Nick Safina David Tuttle Jeff Hansen Members - Not Present: Others Present: Chris Kuschel - MAPC Al Couillard - Developer Sue Tasker - 1 Haven Street Jean Delios - Assistant Town Manager, Community Services Jessie Wilson - Community Development Administrator Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jessie Wilson Topics of Discussion: There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. MAPC Presentation of Complete Streets and Review Draft Policy Ms. Delios told the CPDC that staff has been working with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) on the development of a Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan for the Town of Reading. As part of that plan, MAPC is encouraging Reading to adopt a Complete Streets Policy so that Town staff is cognizant on how to incorporate Complete Streets into roadway and transportation projects. She added that the draft policy has been reviewed by the Parking Traffic Transportation Taskforce (PTTTF). Mr. Christopher Kuschel, Regional Planner for MAPC provided the CPDC with a presentation on Complete Streets. He said the purpose of the policy is to provide a guide that reflects the community goals as part of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan project. This work is supported by the Community Transformation Grant which is a grant that aims to focus on and tackle the root cause of chronic disease. In addition, the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) also helps support this program. Complete streets are essentially safe, comfortable transportation facilities that are accessible for all users. It is not a specific design prescription, but looks to meet the needs of the specific communities. Complete Streets in a rural community looks very different than Complete Streets in a more urban setting. Mr. Kuschel provided the CPDC with photos depicting examples of potential complete streets in various contexts. Benefits of Complete Streets are increased physical activity, improved safety, reduced conflicts, increased economic development in retail areas, lower Page 1 1 transportation costs, reduced congestion and improvement to the environment and air quality. Mr. Kuschel said the proposed Policy for Reading is not a design prescription but a high level direction. Since Reading has already been doing many things for Complete Streets, adopting a policy codifies it. He also told the CPDC that there is proposed legislation called "Active Streets Legislation" which would provide $10 million a year for 5 years to certified communities who wish to implement Complete Streets Projects. The bill is at the House, and MAPC is optimistic it will pass. Mr. Tuttle said that he is pleased to see Reading moving this forward. Mr. Hansen asked if there are any implications to the Zoning Update. Ms. Delios replied that it would not affect the work the Zoning Advisory Committee (ZAC) is doing, but that it is more of a policy directive to be used by Town Staff. Mr. Weston agreed that the policy is something the CPDC should support and he would like to see it move forward. It would strengthen the CPDC goals to promote these types of items. He asked Mr. Kuschel about the goal for mode share. His concern is that that many of the Complete Streets items are not quantifiable in numbers. Mr. Kuschel said he would look into the legislation. Mr. Adams asked about the Active Streets Legislation and how much the awards would be under that fund. Mr. Kuschel replied that the available funds would be divided between communities who become certified. He noted there would also be a social justice component to the allotment. Ms. Wilson said that the draft policy was included in the CPDC packets and has been vetted through the PTTTF. There are still some issues being flushed out, primarily with actual implementation of the policy. The main concern is that the Town Engineer does not want to create unnecessary review for the Board of Selectmen on routine maintenance projects, nor does he believe it would make sense to get approval for routine projects that are not feasible for Complete Streets. Mr. Tuttle said the policy should also include non -road opportunities to make sure those connections are being addressed. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to recommend the adoption of the draft Complete Streets Policy by the Board of Selectmen (BOS) as presented or as reasonably amended. Mr. Hansen seconded and the motion carried 5 -0 -0. 1 Haven Street - _Request for Revised Master Sianaae Plan Ms. Wilson said the owner of the property has come to the meeting to discuss the outstanding issues with the proposed changes to the Master Signage Plan at 1 Haven Street. The primary concern from the CPDC was that by allowing varying sign sizes there could potentially be conflict in the future should certain sizes not line up appropriately. Ms. Susan Tasker, owner of the building, said that the current Master Signage Plan was not adopted correctly because she was unable to attend the meeting. Since then, it has been difficult for her tenants to get signage. The current sign on the Haven Street side is 2 -feet x 6 -feet. Ms. Tasker would like to offer the option of 2x6 or 2x8 sizes because the signs are very expensive. Mr. Weston said that varying length would be fine so long as the signs are all 2 -feet in height. He suggested that Ms. Tasker pre- determine the center of the signs so that future signs can be aligned correctly. He said that it may be likely that the existing sign on Haven Street would need to be shifted over in the future when other signage is installed. Ms. Tasker is okay with moving the sign upon the installation of another sign. Mr. Weston also said that the CPDC does not want to restrict the signs to black and gold leaf. Although the black and gold leaf is what Ms. Tasker would prefer, Mr. Weston said not prescribing that in Page 1 2 the Master Signage Plan would leave some flexibility, should a future tenant and Ms. Tasker agree on something other than black and gold. The CPDC reviewed the draft decision. It was agreed to delete condition 1 which stipulated the black and gold leaf design. The CPDC modified Condition 2 so that the sign on the "corner" of the building would be considered part of the Haven Street facade. The CPDC added a condition 3 stipulating that signs will be centered in the signage band as depicted in the drawing and that the existing sign may require adjustment upon approval of sign permits for the Haven Street fagade. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the Master Signage Plan Revision for i Haven Street as amended. Mr. Hansen seconded and the motion carried 5 -0 -0. Forest Acres Subdivision (Bethune Ave) — Reauest for Bond Reduction Ms. Delios said that the Town Engineer has reviewed the request to issue a reduction in the Bond for Bethune Avenue. The recommended amount to be retained is $69,921. Ms. Wilson said that the Subdivision Rules and Regulations stipulate the CPDC retain 15% until the roadway has been in place for 1 full winter and the structures inspected. In addition 5% is retained for the shrubs and trees. The Town Engineer and Town Tree Warden will go out in the spring to inspect the roadway and landscaping prior to the release of the remaining funds. Mr. Adams asked Mr. Al Couillard if he had any concerns or question regarding this release. Mr. Couillard said no. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to reduce the Bond amount for Bethune Ave and establish a new bond in the amount of $69,921. Mr. Weston seconded and the motion carried 5 -0 -0. 92 Sanborn Lane — Preliminary Presentation for Proposed Subdivision Mr. Couillard, the Developer for 92 Sanborn Lane, presented the proposed project to the CPDC. The proposed subdivision will contain 3 lots and will comply with most of the Subdivision Rules and Regulations. He will be seeking 2 waivers from the CPDC for the roadway grade and for sidewalks (only proposing 1 sidewalk). He said that the proposed sidewalk will come in from the east on Sanborn Lane and continue on the easterly side of the proposed cul -de -sac. It will not extend to the westerly side of the road. The Town Engineer may request that the project include widening Sanborn Lane to 24 feet from the proposed roadway to Lilah Street. This would require some investigation by the Developer's engineer; however, Mr. Couillard believes it will be no problem. The proposed houses are similar to those constructed on Bethune Ave and will be approximately 3,500 square feet. Mr. Adams asked if there has been any contact with the neighbors. Mr. Couillard said that he has only talked with the westerly abutter at this point. He has filed and been approved for an ANRAD with the Conservation Commission. Ms. Wilson added that this project is within the Aquifer Protection District and also that a portion of Sanborn Lane is a private way. She noted that the Town Engineer has cited some case law in regards to access along a private way. The Planning Department will be seeking guidance from Town Counsel upon the filing of the definitive plan. Regardless, she said that each owner along the private way has rights to make improvements along the private way. There has been some discussion with staff to make the road public, but there is some opposition with the neighbors. Mr. Adams asked if he would be willing to put a sidewalk on both sides of the subdivision if the CPDC would give relief on something else. Mr. Couillard said that he would be able to provide a sidewalk if the proposed roadway width could be reduced to 28 -feet. The CPDC encouraged Mr. Couillard to work with the Town Engineer on that concept. Mr. Safina asked about the cul -de -sac. Mr. Couillard replied that the radius would not change. Mr. Safina Page 1 3 added that if there was to be additional pavement for the sidewalk, it may be necessary to reduce the roadway width because of the Aquifer Protection District regulations. Ms. Wilson said she would touch base with other Town Staff on the idea of reducing the roadway width to provide a sidewalk on both sides. Mr. Couillard anticipates filing a definitive plan in approximately 3 weeks. 454 Main Street, Dunkin Donuts - Reauest for Approval of Proposed Sian Liahtinc Ms. Wilson said this item will be continued to the next meeting as they will be providing more details on the proposed lighting. Plannina Updates & Other Business 1 General Way - Sola Salon: Ms. Wilson told the CPDC that a salon franchiser is seeking to occupy one of the retail spaces at 1 General Way. She said it is a unique concept in which the space would be divided into "cubicles" which each stylist would call their own. They would then pay rent to the franchiser. Customers could then have a variety of stylists to choose from. Ms. Wilson said during the previous Site Plan Modification for 1 General Way, the CPDC agreed that the smaller retail spaces would be administratively approved by the Town Planner, however, this space is 6,000 square feet and a different operation than anticipated. Mr. Weston asked about the parking because customers of this use would be there for a long time, up to a few hours at time. Ms. Wilson said the franchisers will have the stylists' park out in the rear and clients park in the area out front. Mr. Tuttle expressed concern about access from the rear. Ms. Delios was interested in knowing how the signage would work for something like this. The CPDC agreed this type of proposal will be reviewed by CPDC under Minor Site Plan Review. ZAC - The Zoning Advisory Committee (ZAC) has met a total of 9 times. So far they have reviewed Section 1 and are almost through Section 2 - Definitions. In addition, the ZAC has started review of Section 3. Section 4, will be reviewed over the next few meetings. The public forum has been moved back to March 3rd and will be at the Pleasant Street Senior Center. In addition, we are holding a Stakeholder Breakfast on February 5th to try and get input from our business owners, property owners and developers. The ZAC will be providing an update to Town Meeting in April. There will be another public forum on May 12th and then one on June 181n Sign and Zoning Enforcement - Although it was a challenge, the sign on High Street for Tango Plumbing has finally been removed. In addition, an enforcement letter went out to Dynamik Sports as well as JKs market. We are trying to be consistent with our enforcement actions, while prioritizing staff time based on complaints. TheBuilding Inspector also witnessed Home Goods removing their sign without a sign permit for any new sign they plan on installing Town Staff be contacting them to discuss the needneed a sign permit and an electrical permit. As for vacant properties, the Police received a complaint about 258 Main Street so they are keeping a close eye on that property. Regarding Perfecto's, Ms. Delios reported she has not seen a building permit application to date. Mr. Tuttle asked about the house near Smith Oil. Ms. Delios said that is on the list of vacant properties and it is inspected regularly. Mr. Weston said that he has seen an improvement on the signs along south Main Street. He also noted that Sam's Bistro signage is back to the way it originally was. In addition, he noticed a relatively new bright blue, non - opaque sign at the former insurance place near Page 1 4 Simonize Car Wash. Ms. Wilson replied that she is aware of that situation and they have informed the property owner of the non - compliant sign. Economic Development - Ms. Delios is working with Northeastern to begin the process to use the Economic Development Self- Assessment Tool. The contract is being finalized and we hope to move forward with a community meeting in March. St. Agnes School Building - The building is on the market. There have been a number of interested parties including some non - profits, 40Bs, etc. It is a tough site due to the parking situation. MF Charles Building - Bunratty Tavern and Northern Bank will begin construction soon. The CPDC talked about the increase in downtown activity and the potential impact on parking. Mr. Weston said that it will need to be a focus in the near future. North Suburban Planning Council (NSPQ Priority Mapping Project - There is a meeting on the 25th in the evening to talk about the final report and potential projects moving forward. The CPDC is welcome to attend. Mr. Adams said he may not be at the meeting on February 101H Approval of Minutes The CPDC reviewed the minutes from January 13, 2014 and suggested minor edits. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the minutes from the January 13, 2014 CPDC meeting as amended. Mr. Hansen seconded and the motion carried 5 -0 -0. Adiournment On a motion by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Safina, the CPDC voted to adjourn at 10:00PM by a vote of 5 -0 -0. Page 1 5