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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-11 ad Hoc - Zoning Advisory Committee MinutesTown of Reading 3I Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Zoning Advisory Committee Date: 2014 -06 -11 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: David Tuttle George Katsoufis Eric Bergstom Jeff Hansen Marsle West Members - Not Present: Erin Calvo -Bacci David Traniello Others Present: Time: 7:30 PM Location: Berger Room Session: RECEIVED TOWN CLERK ,EAOING. MASS. 2014 JUL 14 P 1: 06 Jean Delos - Assistant Town Manager, Community Services Jessie Wilson - Community Development Administrator Virginia Adams Tony D'Arezzo Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jessie Wilson, Community Development Administrator Topics of Discussion: There being a quorum Mr. Bergstrom called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. Mr. Bergstrom took the agenda Items out of order and began with the discussion on parking, signs and non - conforming. Parkin Mr. Katsoufis noted that the revised language includes provisions for handicap accessibility. He also said that American Disabilities Act (ADA) Is a federal act and the Architectural Access Board (AAB) is the governing body in Massachusetts that prescribes the minimum number of handicap parking spaces required. He said that the requirements are not needed in the bylaw. He did suggest that It could be referenced though. Ms. Wilson suggested moving it to Section 6.1.1.3. Ms. West asked if we have the handicap accessibility regulations today. Ms. Delos replied no. Ms. West said we should not be complicating the bylaw and suggested taking it out. The ZAC agreed. In regards to the draft table for off - street parking requirements, Mr. Tuttle said he is confused about the maximum parking space requirement, especially for the residential uses. Ms. West suggested eliminating the column for maximum number of spaces and Including the requirement where it Is needed. Page I I Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes Mr. Katsoufis feels that the minimum parking requirement for one - family detached is too high at 2 spaces per unit. He said that if someone does not want to construct the two parking spaces they would be burdened with having to seek some form of relief. Ms. West feels that It is an unlikely scenario so she would recommend keeping it the way it is to simplify and make sure the process is as easy as possible. Ms. Dellos said the most helpful revisions In the pending draft are the clarity in the uses. Ms. Dellos also told the ZAC that the Board of Selectmen (BOS) will be looking at the downtown parking in the near future and that this discussion should be limited to off - street parking requirements under zoning, not public parking. Mr. Tony D'Arezzo made the point that if the ZAC would encourage 2 parking spaces for each dwelling unit It would increase the amount of asphalt on the ground. The ZAC continued to review the revised parking table. They discussed whether the maximum parking column was required. Ms. Dellos said it could be beneficial for at least home based businesses. It was agreed to eliminate the maximum parking spaces for the residential uses. Ms. West asked why we are adding maximum parking space requirements If we do not have it in the bylaw today. Mr. Katsoufis said that It is common practice. He volunteered to provide some information from the Master Plan in regards to parking requirements. There was a question as to the requirement for Home Occupation and Mr. Tuttle suggested to eliminate the requirement from the Table and to Include the parking requirements for home occupations In the regulations. Ms. Wilson said there are parking regulations for Home Occupations In the current table. Mr. Tuttle suggested adding a footnote in the table of uses that parking must be added for external employees. Ms. Wilson thinks that could be problematic as there is no standard to go by. It would be hard to know what Is required. If someone wanted 30 spaces, they could. If a person had 10 employees and wanted only 1 spaces, that could also be problematic. The ZAC reviewed the existing language and noted It is 1 additional space per 2 rooms. ion - Review of Presen The ZAC discussed the order of the presentations. Ms. West would do the introduction and then the rest would proceed. It was also agreed to have the Turning Point questions during each presentation. Mr. Tuttle suggested asking who is in attendance for the first time. Mr. Hansen suggested asking who the local businesses owners are. The ZAC reviewed the draft presentation for Non - Confonning. It was agreed to include more background on the topic. Ms. Virginia Adams suggested defining what is "AS -of- right" and "non - conforming ". The ZAC continued to discuss the draft presentation. They made some minor changes to the draft. The ZAC reviewed the draft sign presentation. It was agreed to make some minor changes to the presentation and change the last slide to the turning point questions. It was asked about the previous sign bylaw. Ms. Dellos said this bylaw has been in place since 1993 and there was a sunset provision that set in 2010. That provision although approved by the Attorney General was not valid as signs are protected under Chapter 40A Section 6 of the Massachusetts General taws. Ms. West suggested providing an overview of the process and making sure to Include where the ZAC stands on the project. Ms. Wilson will update the slides and then re -send It out to the group. Mr. Katsoufis expressed concern with the timeline and schedule of the ZAC. Ms. Delos sald the schedule is a goal but if needed, the ZAC could change it. Page 12 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes Approval of ZAC Minutes The ZAC reviewed the ZAC minutes from May 28, 2014 and suggested minor edits. Mr. Katsoufis moved the ZAC to approve minutes of May 28, 2014 as amended Mr. Hansen seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Adiournment Mr. Hansen moved the ZAC to adjourn at 10:0512M. Mr. Tuttle seconded and motion carried 4 -0 -0. Page 1 3