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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-02 ad Hoc - Zoning Advisory Committee Minutes`+ Town of Reading Meeting Minutes li CEIVEU OWN CLERK A NG, M,1SS. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 27;11 APB I P Zoning Advisory Committee 5' I6 Date: 2014 -04 -02 Time: 7:30 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Session: Attendees: Members - Present: David Traniello David Tuttle Eric Bergstrom Jeff Hansen George Katsoufis Erin Calvo -Bacci Members - Not Present: Marsle West Others Present: lean Delios- Assistant Town Manager - Community Services Jessie Wilson - Community Development Administrator Virginia Adams - Resident Jack Millerlck - Owner of the Dirty Doodle David Carmak - Planet Aid Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jessie Wilson, Community Development Administrator Topics of Discussion: There being a quorum the Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM Mr. Tranlello solicited public comment at the opening of the meeting. Mr. David Carmack, representative from Planet Aid addressed the ZAC. He told the ZAC that Planet Aid is a 501c3 Non -Profit Organization and that he has worked with the company for many years. Planet Aid offeres donation services for communities and would like to have the opportunity to serve Reading. He reported that many Communities outlaw donation bins and that Planet Aid has worked with several Communities in the past to develop regulations around these Uses. He provided the ZAC with some information Including a copy of a sample ordinance. He also supplied some poundage counts from Reading when bins were located on property in the past. Mr. Tranlello told Mr. Carmack that the ZAC previously received the draft ordinance. He said that the ZAC would forward the Information to the Consultant for consideration. At this time, the ZAC has not had time to review this type of use but will rely on the Consultant to address this topic as it relates to the Reading community. Mr. Jack Mlllerick, owner of the Dirty Doodle was also present. He expressed Interest in helping the ZAC present the Information and offer advice on how to convey the Zoning Page 1 1 Town of RNdinq - Meeting Minutes Bylaw in its final form. He said that he has a background In communication and received the draft Town Meeting Presentation from Ms. Dellos for his comment/input. He added that zoning is a prolific topic and it will be difficult to keep people Interested. To do so, he said It Is Important to keep It interesting and make it personal to the Individual. "Dumbing It Down" is the term he used In regards to conveying the Information in the bylaw. As for the presentation to Town Meeting he suggested having a handout with bullet points of what Is going to be said. He also said that as a business owner on South Main Street, he has heard that many other businesses are not aware of the Zoning Update project. He suggested passing out a flyer for businesses to put on their bulletin boards to get people Informed of the process. Ms. Virginia Adams, resident of Reading, added that it is important to be engaged and take interest In the community. f Revised Section 4 The ZAC discussed Section 4.3.1 of the Zoning Bylaw and the revisions provided by the Consultant. It was clarified that this section provides supplementary requirements for principal uses. The Consultant suggested moving the Nursing Home provisions out of this Section and having It in Its own Section. Mr. Hansen asked why there was a date In paragraph 4.3.1.1. Mr. Tranlello said that it does make It difficult for property owners to use this provision as many times It is difficult to provide the Information required specifically related to the date as well as the room requirement. Mr. Tuttle added that Section 4.3.1.1 Is essentlally a grandfathering provision for other districts to allow 2- family conversions. A -40 and Business A Districts are the only other districts that allow 2- family homes by right. Mr. Katsoufis said he could prepare a some brief bullet points on preservation that he Intends to submit to the Committee. He reported that historic restrictions can cause a home to lose 10 -15% of value and that it may be time to consider making it easier to create accessory apartments to encourage preservation of existing homes and to prevent tear downs. After discussing the topic it was agreed to move Section 4.3.1.2 and 4.3.1.3 to "General Requirements" and to change 4.3.1.1 to a footnote to the Table of Uses. This would eliminate the supplementary requirements section of the zoning bylaw with the moving of the Nursing Home provisions. Mr. Katoufls said he could have a draft Preservation Bylaw for the ZAC review at the next meeting. nn The ZAC reviewed the draft presentation for Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Bergstrom expressed concern over what Mr. Millerick reported in that many businesses are not aware of this project. Ms. Calvo -Baccl said that many business owners just feel that It does not directly Impact them and therefore do not get engaged. Ms. Dellos presented the letter which is going to be Included in the mailing from the Town Clerk that notifies Town Meeting members the warrants are available for pickup. This letter will Inform Town Meeting members of the zoning update project and provide them with a status update. The ZAC suggested some changes to the letter. The ZAC also reviewed the draft presentation. Mr. Katoufis and Mr. Tuttle made some recommendations on the slides and suggested cutting back the amount of text on each slide. Page 1 2 Town of R"ding - Meeting Minter Update on Table of Uses Ms. Wilson reported to the ZAC that in regards to the question for Accessory Apartments, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) relies on the Census to capture these units as year -round housing units. These units would count towards that total, but It is unsure how they actually capture the data. ntinue Review on Section 2 - Def Mr. Traniello tabled the review of Definitions to the next meeting. Update on Draft Permittina Flow Chart Mr. Traniello suggested tabling this to the next meeting to allow time to review the revised document. Approval of Minutes The ZAC reviewed the minutes of March 17, 2014 and suggested minor edits. On a motion by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Hansen, the ZAC moved to approve the March 17, 2014 minutes as amended. Motion carried 4 -0 -2. The ZAC reviewed the minutes of March 19, 2014 and suggested minor edits. On a motion by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Hansen, the ZAC moved to approve the March 19, 2014 minutes as amended. Motion carried 6 -0 -0. Adiournment On a motion by Mr. Hansen, seconded by Mr. Katsoufis the ZAC moved to adjourn at 10:10PM. Motion carried 6 -0-0. Page 1 3