HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-30 ad Hoc - Zoning Advisory Committee Minutesi, Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Zoning Advisory Committee L �� -3 P
Date: 2014 -04 -30 Time: 7:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: General Business
Attendees: Members - Present:
David Traniello
David Tuttle
Eric Bergstrom
Jeff Hansen
George Katsoufis
Erin Calvo -Bacci
Members - Not Present:
Marsie West
Others Present:
Session:
Jean Delios- Assistant Town Manager - Community Services
Jessie Wilson - Community Development Administrator
Virginia Adams - Resident
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 7:35 PM.
Mr. Traniello talked about the presentation that Ms. West gave at Town Meeting for the
Zoning Advisory Committee. He felt the presentation went well including the questions
asked to Town Meeting Members. Ms. Delios said it was good to understand how Town
Meeting Members preferred to receive information about the zoning update. We will have to
get their email addresses, as we cannot get that information from the Town Clerk. Ms.
Wilson suggested sending a Doodle Poll to Town Meeting members to have them provide
their emails.
Continue Review of Section 2, Definition
Ya rd
Mr. Tuttle suggested defining "required yard" and not just "yard ". Then the regulatory
language would identify what would be allowed in that area. Mr. Tuttle suggested deleting
the remaining terms of "side yard, front yard and rear yard ". Ms. Wilson said that she would
prefer to have the definition of Rear, Side, or Front and not just to delete them. Mr. Tuttle
said those terms may be difficult to define on odd shape lot. The ZAC continued to discuss
those terms. It was agreed to have the Consultant review the terms for yard including front,
side and rear and also review it with the Building Inspector. Mr. Hansen suggested that a
graphic is needed for these definitions.
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Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes
Review Section 4.7 Municit)al Building Reuse District
Mr. Hansen noticed there is not a clear intent mentioned for this district. Ms. Wilson replied
that she agreed, but that the intent of this overlay is implied in the existing language. Mr.
Hansen suggested detailing this better. Mr. Traniello asked how often this language is used.
Ms. Delios replied not often noting we only have two overlay districts in Town. Mr. Hansen
suggested the ZAC follow Mr. Willmer's suggestion to have the CPDC be the Special Permit
Granting Authority. Ms. Delios provided a current example in that there is a new developer
for Longwood Place who is proposing some changes. Because this is a Board of Appeals
Special Permit, they are required to go back to the Board of Appeals as well as CPDC under
Site Plan Review. Mr. Traniello asked whether having the CPDC be the Granting Authority
would cause any issues looking back at cases originally approved by Special Permit through
the Board of Appeals. He suggested running this by Attorney Eddy Netter. Mr. Hansen
suggested that redundancies be eliminated if the CPDC is to be the SPGA.
In regards to the Open Space requirement, Ms. Wilson reported that Mr. Willmer suggested
that the 30% may be too restrictive. Ms. Wilson suggested that language was written for
the time the Longwood Place property was developed. Ms. Adams confirmed it was written
for that project during the time the Town was selling off extra municipal property. The ZAC
continues to discuss the open space requirements. Ms. Wilson reported that the PUD -R
requires 25% open space and the PRD requires 40% open space. The ZAC offered some
additional minor comments but agreed to leave the 30% requirement.
Review Section 4.8 Aauifer Protection District
Mr. Tuttle reported to the ZAC that as a condition to buy into the MWRA the Town was to
maintain the existing wells as a source for back -up water. This would serve as emergency
water services at least for fire protection. He said there are additional concerns with the
Ipswich Watershed Association that could implicate how much water we could draw from the
wells each day. He noted the district has been in place since 1985.
Mr. Traniello acknowledged that many residents can become frustrated with the regulations,
but if the fact remains that if we are under order by DEP, then we have to have these
requirements. Ms. Delios said that the overlay district does not preclude a property owner
from performing additions, but it does require infiltration for sites that exceed the threshold.
Ms. Wilson added that the aquifer protection protects downstream watersheds.
Mr. Traniello suggested the ZAC prepare for questions regarding the Aquifer Protection
District when the project is presented to Town Meeting Members. He feels that many Town
Meeting members may not understand why we need the district regulations if the wells are
no longer needed /nor being used. It was agreed to start thinking about those issues and be
able to provide answers to those potential questions /concerns.
Ms. Delios mentioned to the ZAC there may be a discrepancy in the language that is in the
bylaw and what was approved by Town Meeting in regards to Section 4.8.7. Mr. Tuttle
suggested eliminating Section 4.8.7, 4.8.8 and Section 4.8.9 and have it be located in the
Non - Conforming Section, and the Administration Section. Mr. Tuttle said it may be
worthwhile to note in the provisions that the AQD regulations do not apply, or subject to the
Non - Conforming Provisions in the bylaw. It was agreed to run the modifications by Mr.
Willmer.
Discuss May 12, 2014 Public Forum
Ms. Wilson reminded the ZAC that the topics to be presented include Site Plan Review,
Accessory Apartments and Aquifer Protection District. Mr. Willmer is working on the slide
show and we should have that by next week. The Turning Point Activities will include
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Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes
questions on the upcoming Sections on Parking, Signs, Medical Marijuana Treatment
Centers and Non - Conforming Uses /Structures.
The ZAC agreed to table further discussion to the next meeting when we have the
presentation from Mr. Willmer.
Mr. Tuttle added that we should include the Special Permit Provisions in which have been
changed and /or consolidated.
Approval of Minutes
The ZAC reviewed the minutes of April 16, 2014 and suggested minor edits.
Mr. Tuttle move to approve minutes of April 16, 2014 as amended. Mr. Bergstrom
seconded and the motion carried 5 -0 -0.
Adjournment
On a motion by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Bergstrom, the ZAC voted to adjourn at
9:30PM PM by a vote of 5 -0 -0.
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