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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-07-07 ad Hoc - Zoning Advisory Committee MinutesTown of Reading ` Meeting Minutes RECEIVED TOWN CLERK ADING, MASS. Board - Committee - commission - council: mw a 22 P 1 bl Zoning Advisory Committee Date: 2014 -07 -07 Time: 7:30 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Session: Attendees: Members - Present: David Tuttle George Katsoufis Eric Bergstom Jeff Hansen Marsie West David Traniello Members - Not Present: Erin Calvo -Bacci Others Present: Jean Delios - 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 the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. Ms. West said that she feels the forum went well and that they even received a thank you from someone who noted they enjoyed the format of the presentations and discussion on signs. It was agreed that this forum appeared to be more focused on education rather than gaining Input. However, Ms. Delios said they did receive a lot of feedback during the question and answer portion of the forum. Ms. West asked If there were any action Items that came out of the forum. Ms. Dellos replied that she did not believe so. Mr. Tuttle noted that there was a good amount of opposition to window signs. Ms. Cellos pointed out there was a lot of discussion on downtown parking. Mr. Katsoufis suggested the ZAC recommend a zoning subcommittee look at the issue of downtown parking in more detail in the future. He said that downtown Is unique and that maybe different standards are needed specifically for that type of area. Page I 1 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes The ZAC agreed that Staff should create a list of items that need to be addressed in the future. Such as the issue of downtown parking and design review. Ms. Delios summarized the upcoming meetings noting that the CPDC Public Hearing is scheduled for August 18, 2014, but that could be changed based on what CPDC wants to do. In regards to the Board of Selectmen Meeting on the 15th she said she does not believe the Consultant Is needed to attend and that the ZAC and Staff could handle the presentation. She also said that Staff would like to have a "Pre-Town Meeting" meeting for Town Meeting Members only to brief them of the changes. This way many answers could be addressed before it is on the floor of Town Meeting. Mr. Katsoufis pointed out a few other topics that should either be addressed as part of the ZACs work Including the proposed Preservation Bylaw as well as the development of flow charts related to permitting /site plan review. Ms. Delios reported that VHB has provided some updated draft Sections and she has received some good feedback from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). She said that Reading Is more restrictive than what the State in terms of the definition of "Impervious surface ". In specific, the State definition would allow for the use of Low Impact Development, crushed stone, rain gardens, etc. Mr. Katsoufis expressed concern with the use of crushed stone and that it does not maintain well over time. Ms. Delios said that it would be difficult to regulate /enforce as well. Mr. Tuttle suggested requiring a permit for asphalt (a permit is not required now) which would help permit any pavement that is installed. Ms. Delios said that Staff also distributed a revised draft of the Medical Marijuana Bylaw. Ms. West said that the ZAC should review It and make sure the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse (RCASA) receives a copy. inue Review of Section 6 — Parkin. Si P rkin The ZAC began review of the proposed parking table. It was not clear in the revised draft on the requirements for loading spaces. It was agreed to hold off on the parking section and have the Consultant revise It prior to their review. Mr. Tuttle asked if the Board of Selectmen was going to see a draft of the bylaw before the 151h. Ms. Delios replied that the draft is the working documents the ZAC has been reviewing. She suggested having the approved drafts available on the website for the Selectmen's review. Mr. Katsoufis asked how parking spaces are verified after approval of the site plan. Ms. Delios replied that Planning Staff does do a walk -thru prior to the Issuance of the occupancy permit. He expressed concern with the proposed Idea of maximum parking spaces and that some businesses may consider In un- friendly. The ZAC reviewed the comments received on parking from the public forum. The ZAC discussed the Idea of pervious pavement for parking areas. It was agreed to have that topic reviewed by a subcommittee at a future discussion outside of the ZAC. Sions The ZAC reviewed Staff comments on the revised sign bylaw. Ms. Delios pointed out there are still some big Issues to resolve with this section. Specifically the ZAC should determine what level of review is needed for sign review and whether the requirements should be different per district. The ZAC agreed to modify the way the definition section is formatted. Other minor edits were recommended. Page 1 2 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes Mr. Katsoufis asked whether the sign bylaw should be taken out of the zoning bylaw so that the Building Inspector would not be tied down reviewing signage applications. Mr. Tuttle expressed concern with that idea as there would be a question to who would review or have authority over signage. The ZAC reviewed the revised proposed sign table. Ms. Delios suggested Including graphics within the definitions. Ms. Wilson said that the current table is not clear on haw many signs of each type a business may have. The ZAC discussed the number of signs each business should have. It was asked why there are different regulations for Business B, which allow two signs and Business A in which only one sign is allowed for single tenanted signs. Mr. Tony D'Arezzo pointed out that If buildings are set back more than 100 feet from the roadway, they would be afforded twice as much signage than would ever be allowed in Business B. Ms. West said that this discussion needs to be brought before the Board of Selectmen to help shape the requirement for number of signs. Ms. Wilson also asked whether the ZAC would recommend maintaining the current requirement for Internally illuminated signs to have an opaque background. Mr. Tuttle suggested breaking out the definitions for Illumination Into "Halo, Internally Illuminated, and Externally Illuminated ". Ms. West said that when it comes to the term "opaque background" she said that maybe another term could be used to eliminate confusion on what that terms means. The ZAC also expressed concern with the organization of the new "Illumination Section" of the bylaw. The ZAC reviewed the language from the Dennis Bylaw and agreed to have the Consultant revise the document. Nonconforrnino The ZAC reviewed the revised language for Nonconforming. Mr. Katsoufis pointed out it is important to understand how many nonconforming lots there are in the Town. Ms. Delios said that approximately 80% of the lots in S -15 are nonconforming. Mr. Katsoufis expressed concern there are so many nonconforming lots and would suggest this topic be dealt to a subcommittee for a detailed review. Ms. West said that it needs to be reviewed as part of the ZAC update. It was suggested to have the Zoning Board of Appeals review the revised language. Mr. Tranlello said that would be a good idea; however the schedule may not work best with the timing. Ms. West suggested emalling it out to the ZBA members to gather their input. Mr. Traniello said he could bring It up under other business to mention the board should review it. Ms. West tabled the approval of the minutes to the next meeting. She also recommended the ZAC review the following Sections at the next meeting: Nonconforming Aquifer Protection District, Medical Marijuana, Accessory Apartments and the new proposed Landscaping Section. However, Ms. West said the focus at the next meeting should be on nonconforming and medical marijuana. Board of Selectmen Update Ms. West suggested including the status slide and updating it to have a percentage amount reviewed, such as 90% complete, 80% complete, etc. She recommended that an executive summary also be Included in the Board of Selectmen packets. Mr. Hansen moved the Zonina Advisory Committee (ZAC) to adiourn at 10:0513M. Mr. Traniello seconded and the motion carried 6 -0 -0. Page 1 3