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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-21 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutesr. Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Community Planning and Development Commission Date: 2013 -10 -21 Time: 7:30 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Charlie Adams - Chair John Weston Dave Tuttle Nick Safina Jeff Hansen Members - Not Present: Others Present: Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Jean Delios - Town Planner /Community Services Director Jessie Wilson - Staff Planner Jack Sullivan - Sullivan Engineering Ramzi Elshrafi - 212 -214 Main Street Nancy Twomey - Twomey Designs George Zambouras - Town Engineer Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Topics of Discussion: There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. 212 -214 Main Street, Anthony's Roast Beef — Minor Modification to AuDroved Site Plan Mr. Adams said the Applicant was previously before the CPDC to seek approval for the proposed outdoor cooler. At that time the CPDC had some outstanding concerns in regards to dumpster access and plan details. Mr. Jack Sullivan, Engineer said that while he did not get involved in the development of the architectural drawings, the proposed cooler size is the same. The drawings for the cooler were provided by Mr. Ramzi Elshrafi, business owner, which identify the walkway into which the cooler will be attached. Mr. Tuttle said that the proposed cooler door is 30" in width and the walkway is 4' in width so that should work out fine. Mr. Adams asked what the material of the cooler structure will consist of. Mr. Sullivan replied that it will be a rubber roof. Mr. Elshrafi replied that the walkway will be frame construction with wood siding and the cooler will be an exposed stainless /aluminum material. The proposed 4x4 posts will connect the cooler to the walkway. Mr. Adams was concerned that this would not be sufficient to provide protection against rain or weather. Mr. Safina said that may be true, but it is really not the concern of the CPDC. Mr. Weston agreed. The project's jurisdiction and the size and location of the cooler are the areas that is the CPDC is concerned with. Page 1 1 CPDC Minutes of 10/21/2013 Mr. Sullivan continued with his presentation pointing out that the dumpster truck performed a dry run with the location of the cooler marked out with cones. There was no conflict with dumpster access. In addition, Mr. Sullivan added a detail on the plan for a bollard at the corner of the cooler. He also added a detail for the grease barrel to have a new watertight seal. Mr. Sullivan said that the site plan does not reflect the location of an existing recycling bin which is in the location of the proposed grease barrel relocation. To eliminate this conflict they are proposing a new grease disposal system which includes a quick connect design. The grease barrel would be located adjacent to the building and connected to the inside by hoses. Grease will then be directly pumped into the barrel from the inside of the building. This would avoid issues with spilling. Additionally, the introduction of the new cooler would interfere with a garbage trucks ability to pull up directly in front of the recycle bin, necessary for the dumping of the recycle bin contents into the truck. According to Mr. Elshrafi, the owner of the property Kalpesh Patel, said he would be willing to go with a 2 yard bin on wheels so that it can be moved when the truck comes to collect the material. Mr. Sullivan pointed out that the property is within two zoning districts and they are only allowed to extend the commercial uses 30 -feet into the residential zone, so he needs to keep that in mind when relocating the recycling bin. He also added that he will be relocating the underground gas line around the cooler pad. Ms. Wilson asked if conservation has seen the new proposal with the new quick connect system. Mr. Sullivan replied no, but that he will run it by the Conservation Administrator. Mr. Zambouras, Town Engineer expressed concern that the recycling bin is an outstanding issue. He would prefer the CPDC not render a decision until this issue has been fully addressed. He would like to see the owners approval to change the size of the recycling bin and also to change it to a wheeled bin. Mr. Weston would also like to see some more information on the proposed grease trap system. Mr. Sullivan agreed to speak with the owner to get the recycling bin issue addressed, and he will also touch base with Conservation on the issue of the grease barrel. He will then revise the plans and include all the requested information on the plan. Ms. Wilson asked Mr. Sullivan about the proposed fence. She noted that the Conservation Administrator received a concern from an abutter during the conservation process in regards to lighting. However, the plan identifies the fence in a location that does not address the issue. If a fence were to be added, it should be located on the northern side of the site to block lights from vehicles entering the back area. Mr. Sullivan agreed, but pointed out they cannot add a fence in that location because they do not own the property. It was agreed that the fence as proposed would not add any benefit to the abutters and it would be okay to have it removed from the plan. 545 Main Street- Minor Site Plan Review Ms. Nancy Twomey, architect, summarized the proposed project. She noted that the site had undergone Site Plan Review in 2009 and then received a waiver in 2012 for Premier Realty. The project before the CPDC this evening involves the installation of new storefront system which will include new storefront glass and the relocation of the existing entry door. Ms. Twomey said that due to the grade of the sidewalk, it is easier to move the existing door to make it ADA compliant rather than create a new ramp. This work is being done in advance of a tenant fit out. Although nothing has been finalized with the owner in terms of a lease, they are requesting that CPDC allow a future build -out to be approved through the Town Planner. The CPDC discussed the proposal. It was confirmed that the windows will be new, but that they will be at the same elevation as the existing. Mr. Weston asked about parking on the sidewalk. He Page 2 of 4 CPDC Minutes of 10/21/2013 recalled there was a condition to paint a line to prevent cars from parking on the sidewalk. Ms. Twomey confirmed that the line is painted. In regards to future tenant build -out, Mr. Safina would like to keep the windows clear. Ms. Wilson said the last she heard, the proposal was for a fitness /yoga studio. Mr. Safina said he would like to keep the windows unblocked, although with that type of use, some privacy will be desired. Mr. Adams expressed concern with any future uses and how their operations would be different from the previous retail use. For example, if the hours are different or if they have a higher parking demand. Ms. Delios reminded the CPDC that this property is exempt from parking requirements as there is a public lot within 300 -feet. Mr. Tuttle expressed concern over lighting impacts. Mr. Safina said it should not be an issue since there are no residences in the area. The CPDC reviewed the draft decision and agreed to include a condition so that future tenancy will be evaluated by the Town Planner for site plan review requirements. Should it be determined that CPDC review is required, the Town Planner will direct the applicant to file for Minor Site Plan Review with CPDC. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the Minor Site Plan Review Decision for 545 Main Street as amended. Mr. Safina seconded and the motion carried 5 -0 -0. 1 General Way - Minor Modification to Approved Site Plan Ms. Jody Heyward, representing Danis Properties said that the main objective of the overall project is to have additional parking for the new retail spaces. However, Market Basket, who has the contractual right to veto the new parking layout, is unhappy with the new configuration. So they are hoping to work with the CPDC and Market Basket to come up with a suitable solution. Mr. Alan Roscoe of Hancock Engineering showed the CPDC a drawing of the proposed change. They want to keep the diagonal travel way. However, they have eliminated the four parking spaces to improve the circulation and eliminate a potential conflict created by backing into that travel way. They also included a new cart corral. Mr. Roscoe said this does not vary much from what exists and seems to work well. Mr. Weston expressed concern over the reverse curve in the travel way and asked if that is how it currently is in the field. Mr. Roscoe replied yes. Mr. Weston said the CPDC does not want the traffic to be like the store in Woburn and this design does not help prevent that situation. Mr. Safina suggested creating a cut -off so that when you are leaving Market Basket and headed towards the back entrance, you cannot accelerate and must make a turn to get back to the primary travel lane. Ms. Heyward said that may be a compromise and they can see how Market Basket feels about it. It was agreed that if the Applicant can make that plan go forward, Ms. Delios can write up a Town Planner approval for that configuration. Plannina Updates & Other Business Zoning Advisory Committee (ZAC) - Ms. Delios reported that the ZAC met again last week. The primary topics of discussion were definitions, graphics and the upcoming schedule. They are going to meet approximately twice a month. The first public forum is scheduled for November 18th. The major deliverables for next month are the website and the public outreach plan. At this time there are 5 appointed members and two pending applications that need further paperwork. Page 3 of 4 CPDC Minutes of 10/21/2013 Gateway Sign - Ms. Delios said the Gateway Sign has been refurbished and raised up for the new panel installation. The existing club signs will be taken down and the rest of the landscaping will be installed this week. Doyons - The owner of the property purchased the adjacent property and will be doing some improvements. A preliminary discussion with their architect indicates they will use the former Gregory's building as a service area that technicians will work out of. There is also a possibility that they will sell extra parts in this building. MF Charles - Ms. Delios reported that Orange Leaf should be opening in November. Staff is also working with Pamplemousse on getting their occupancy permit. One of the things that neededto be addressed was the trash. A site walk was performed last week to iron out those details. Snap Fitness - They have submitted their plans for the DRT. Ms. Wilson said they may come to the November 4th CPDC to request approval by the Town Planner. Mr. Weston asked about the occupancy of the Oaktree building. She replied that she has been advised that the residential units are fully occupied but that she is awaiting a report confirming that. Mr. Tuttle asked about the Sam's Bistro Sign. Ms. Delios said that she drove by and agrees it is different than what was originally installed and previously approved. Mr. Safina said the new Santander Bank sign is not opaque. Ms. Wilson said she worked with the business on that application and will look into it. MIDI Grant - Ms. Delios said that she will be working with the EDC on the MIDI Grant. They are looking at a possible cultural district. Town Meeting - Article 12, which is the prohibition on billboards, was not fully included in the warrant. There was a cut and paste issue with the warrant document so not all of the language was included in the warrant. However, because zoning is governed under MGL Chapter 40A, the CPDC can include the language in their report and in the motion at Town Meeting because the language was properly included in the CPDC public hearing and notification processes. Approval of Minutes Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the Minutes from the October 7, 2013 CPDC meeting as amended. Mr. Safina seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -1 (CA abstained). Adiournment On a motion by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Weston, the CPDC voted to adjourn at 9:00 PM by a vote of 5 -0 -0. Page 4 of 4