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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-15 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutes_ Town of Reading !G Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Community Planning and Development Commission Date: 2014 -09 -15 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Nick Safina John Weston David Tuttle Jeff Hansen Members - Not Present: Others Present: Time: 7:30 PM DECEIVED 1OWN CLERK {DING. M "SS. `a - -T 30 P 5: 20 Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Jean Delios - Assistant Town Manager, Community Services Jessie Wilson - Community Development Administrator Stephen Crook - 137 Greystone Way Elaine Webb - 309 Pearl Street Tony D'Arezzo - 130 John Street Eric Bergstrom - 29 Struges Road Bob LeLacheur - Town Manager David Traniello - 1 Old Mill Lane Jim Cormier - Police Chief Margaret Cox - 17 Eaton Street Robert Emmons - 19 Stewart Street Donna Brewer - Town Counsel Ray Miyares - Town Counsel Ralph Willmer - VHB, Inc. Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jessie Wilson, Community Development Administrator Topics of Discussion: There being a quorum of the Community Planning Development Commission (CPDC) Mr. Hansen called the meeting to order at 7:40PM. Public Hearing for Zoning Change — Article 13, Proposed Language for Zoning Bylaw Section 4.13 Special Requirements for Registered Medical Mariivana Dispensaries Mr. Safina read the public hearing notice. Ms. Delios conducted the presentation for the proposed zoning changes under Article 13. She noted there are a total of five (5) zoning articles that will go before September Town Meeting. The remainder of the zoning update will be presented to Town Meeting in November. Page 1 1 CPDC Minutes of 9/15/2014 Ms. Delios continued with the presentation which included a background on the proposed medical marijuana regulations including the moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries that will expire on November 10, 2014. Ms. Delios pointed out that the proposed language will replace the moratorium with Special Regulations for medical marijuana uses which will only be allowed by Special Permit. She said that after an extensive public process it was determined to allow these uses only in the Industrial District. This location was supported by the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse (RCASA) and Town Staff including the Chief of Police. Ms. Delios continued the presentation which detailed the special permit process for the proposed use. (Presentation attached). No comments from the CPDC were received. Mr. Hansen opened the hearing up to public comment. Ms. Elaine Webb, member of RCASA read a statement from RCASA. (letter attached) The statement noted that RCASA at a meeting on August 28, 2014 voted unanimously in support of the language included in Article 13. No other comments from the public were received. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to close the public hearing for Article 13 included on the Warrant for Town Meeting in September. Mr. Safina seconded and motion carried 4 -0 -0. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to recommend the content of Article 13 for adoption at Special Town Meeting in September. Mr. Safina seconded and motion carried 4 -0 -0. Public Hearing for Zoning Change — Article 9. Amendment of Section 1 — Authority Purpose of the Zoning Bylaw Mr. Safina read the public hearing legal notice. Ms. Delios conducted the presentation. Mr. Hansen opened the discussion to the CPDC. No comments were received from CPDC. Mr. Katsoufis asked if there is a method to better identify what the changes include. Mr. D'Arezzo expressed concern with proposed Purpose "e" and "f" and was concern about the expansion of tax base and felt that it was not in the best interest of the Town. He would recommend they be removed. Ms. Donna Brewer, representing Town Counsel said that changes could be made to the document as long as the changes are within the perimeters of the notice. Mr. Safina, pointed out that the current bylaw includes a purpose to prevent "over- crowing" and "undue concentration" of population. These concepts have been re- evaluated as planning practices changed overtime and now, higher density of population is what is desired under smart growth principles. Ms. Webb said that we do have to grow as a community and have to plan for that. I support the proposed change. Page 2 of 6 CPDC Minutes of 9/15/2014 Mr. Steven Crook said the key to purpose "e" is orderly expansion. And that is more planned growth. Ms. Delios said purpose "f' relates to housing production. She said that we are required to have a housing production plan. That is a way to manage and adequately plan for growth. Ms. Wilson noted that Ms. Binda submitted comments on Section 1 noted that she would like to have it clearly presented to Town Meeting. It was agreed to enter her comments into the public record. (letter attached). Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC close the public hearing for the zoning amendments to the Section 1- Purpose contained in Article 9. Mr. Safina seconded and motion carried 4 -0 -0. Mr. Tuttle added that management of growth is very important and needs to be continually assessed. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to recommend the content of Article 9 for Special Town Meeting in September. Mr. Safina seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Public Hearing for Zoning Change - Article 10, Amend Section 3 - Establishment of Districts Mr. Safina read the public hearing notice. Ms. Delios conducted the presentation. The CPDC did not have any additional comments. Mr. Hansen opened the hearing for Public Comment. It was clarified that there are two overly districts being deleted as well as some certain language related to the Floodplain District and Municipal Reuse District as well as certain language related to the Wetland Protection District. Mr. Willmer added that we are also adding two overlay districts related to 40R in the list of Districts. Those districts currently are in place and shown on the map, but were not included in the list in Section 3. Ms. West suggesting taking the articles out of order at Town Meeting in November to make it clear which Sections are being deleted. Mr. Tuttle agreed that it should be better presented to make clear. Mr. Tuttle move the CPDC close the public hearing for the zoning amendments contained in Article 10 for Special Town Meeting. Mr. Safina seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to recommend the contents of Article 10 for adoption at Special Town Meeting in September. Mr. Weston seconded and motion carried 4 -0 -0. Public Hearing for Zoning Change - Article 11, Deletion of Section 4.5 - Wetlands Protection District Mr. Safina read the legal notice. Page 3 of 6 CPDC Minutes of 9/15/2014 Ms. Delios conducted the presentation. She said that the Wetlands Protection District was established to help protect the wetlands but after the review by CPDC, ZAC and Conservation Commission, it was determined that it was superseded by the State Wetlands Protection Act and Local Bylaw. Mr. Safina asked if there was another layer of permitting in the current regulations. Ms. Delios said no and that the wetlands protection district regulations were not followed because many times they were superseded by the state or local wetlands protection bylaws. Mr. Hansen opened the public hearing for Public Comment. No comments received. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to close the public hearing for the zoning amendments to Section 4.5 contained in Article 11 for September Town Meeting Mr. Weston seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to recommend the contents of Article 11 for adoption at Special Town Meeting in September. Mr. Weston seconded and motion carried 4 -0 -0. Public Hearing for Zoning Change — Article 10, Deletion of Section 4.6 — Mixed Use Overlay District Mr. Safina read the legal notice. Ms. Delios conducted the presentation. She said that the Mixed Use Overlay District is currently located in the Downtown. It contains challenging language and has never been used by developers. In 2009 Town Meeting adopted a Smart Growth 40R overlay district in the Downtown which also contains design guidelines. The proposal is to delete the Mixed Use Overlay District as the 40R reflects modern planning practices. Mr. Tuttle said this is a great opportunity to clean up the bylaw as it has never been used. Mr. Hansen opened the public hearing to Public Comment. Mr. Katsoufis clarified that for existing buildings and uses we have current language for mixing of uses even if they do not fall under smart growth. They would maintain their current situations. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to close the public hearing for the zoning amendments to Section 4.6 contained in Article 12 for September Town Meeting Mr. Weston seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to recommend the contents of Article 12 for adoption at Special Town Meeting in September. Mr. Weston seconded and motion carried 4 -0 -0. Review Draft Language for Site Plan Review Mr. Tuttle expressed concern with the provision related to three - family units in proposed Section 1.2.1. It was agreed to change that exemption to just Single - Family and Two - Family Structures. Mr. Weston expressed concern with using parking as criteria for determining site plan review. Mr. Weston recalled that a previous version allowed for a Staff determination as to whether approval by CPDC is necessary (level above Minor Site Plan Review). The CPDC discussed the applicability of Site Plan Review as it relates to change of use. Page 4 of 6 CPDC Minutes of 9/15/2014 Mr. Safina expressed concern over the parking thresholds, stating that a restaurant would just go to 14 spaces just to avoid Site Plan Review. Ms. Brewer suggested eliminating "staff" in the last column of the threshold table and consolidating some of the rows. She also suggested including regulations that stipulate the procedures in Section 1.3.1. The CPDC agreed. The CPDC continued to make some minor changes to the draft as it relates to Minor Site Plan Review. Mr. Weston also expressed concern over using square footage for measurement of exterior alteration. Mr. Willmer noted the current language is a little more descriptive. Mr. Safina said that it may be worth being a little less descriptive. The CPDC made a few more changes and agreed the version could be posted on the website. Planning Updates and Other Business Ms. Delios said that the CPDC should recommend the zoning updates for inclusion on the warrant for November Town Meeting. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to recommend that a Zoning Article be included on the Warrant for the November Town Meeting that will replace the Town of Reading Zoning Bylaw in its entirety with the draft proposed by the CPDC and ZAC. Mr. Safina seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Ms. Delios said that Perfecto's Caffe has started work on the foundation and they said they will be pouring the slab this week. They will then be positioned to seek their building permit. Hitching Post is open at 2 Haven Street and the ribbon cutting was a few weeks ago. In addition Fitness Within had their ribbon cutting last week. Ms. Wilson provided an update on the Econ Development Plan. Ms. Delios said that the Complete Streets Policy was adopted and the funding from the State has been made available for those improvements. The Town will be in a position to apply for this funding should a project be identified. Mr. Tuttle asked about the South Main Street Roadway Diet. Ms. Delios replied that MassDOT is looking into the driveways. Mr. Weston said that driveway evaluations are important because the right hand turning movements can slow down the travel lane with too many driveways. Ms. Delios said that at the Financial Forum last week, the Community Preservation Act (CPA) seemed to get some interest, especially since now the funds can be used to improve athletic and park space. The CPDC continued to discuss CPA. It was noted that the Town of Concord has a very good program, including offering great down payment assistance. The CPDC discussed other developments in neighboring communities as well as any potential improvements from the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA) in regards to constructing any new water towers. Approval of Minutes Page 5 of 6 CPDC Minutes of 9/15/2014 The CPDC reviewed the minutes from the August 25, 2014 CPDC Meeting and suggested Minor Edits. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the CPDC minutes from August 25, 2014 as amended. Mr. Safina seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Adiournment Mr. Tuttle moved to adjourn. Mr. Weston seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Page 6 of 6