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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-06 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutesa-" -Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Community Planning and Development Commission Date: 2014 -10 -06 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Nick Saflna John Weston David Tuttle Jeff Hansen Members - Not Present: Others Present: RECEIVED TOWN CLERK ADING. MASS. 7�1V NOV -b P I: 53 Time: 7:30 PM Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Jessie Wilson - Community Development Administrator Jean Delios, Assistant Town Manager, Community Services James Howard, Qunicy MA Rich Caravlello, 15 Sailor Toms Way Tony D'Arezzo, 130 John Street Al Couillard, 5 Marlon Avenue Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jessie Wilson Topics of Discussion: There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:32 PM. Ms. Delios provided a summary of the proposed project. She said that most of the Improvements are related to the delivery ramp and truck area. Mr. Jim Howarth, representing Home Goods said that currently the delivery trucks are dropped off and delivered /swapped out 2 -3 times a week. Currently, the truck is exposed as it is an open ramp, and the proposal is to enclose the loading door so that it Is better protected. There is a proposed drywell on the right side of the truck ramp to accommodate the change In stormwater flow. He said the plan is also to re -stripe the parking area to eliminate conflicts with the delivery truck movements. The parking area on that side of the lot is used very seldom, but there was concern from the Town Engineer regarding maneuverability, therefore it was decided to stripe it so that it would eliminate conflicts. Page 1 1 Mr. Tuttle asked If the parking area on the south side of the building is used by employees. Mr. Howarth said no, but as a result of the re- striping approximately 75 parking spaces will be eliminated. He noted that the handicap spaces will remain as currently striped. Mr. Safina asked whether they have considered vertical or pole signs for the no parking. He said It may be confusing or difficult to understand the parking patterns In the winter with the snow. Mr. Weston felt that it would be a great opportunity to eliminate some of the paved area as it seems there Is an excess. Mr. Hansen asked about the Goodwill Trailer that is located on -site. Mr. Howarth said he does not know about that operation. Ms. Delios said that there was an issue regarding the trailer in the past and at some point the solution was to move the truck to the rear of the site. Mr. Hansen asked whether this is allowed under zoning. Ms. Delios said no, that commercial districts do not allow accessory uses like this. Mr. Rich Caraviello, 15 Sailor Toms Way asked when the construction would begin and what the hours would be. He pointed out that recent work was completed on the rooftop units at Home Goods and that it was very disruptive. Also he said that the Goodwill Trailer is emptied every night and that operation lasts for about an hour and Is also very disruptive. Mr. Howarth said that construction would be 7 -3PM Monday- Friday. He added that a Pre- Construction meeting would be held with staff and that it can be adjusted. Typically he said that they do not work on Saturdays or Sundays. Ms. Delios said that the General Bylaws regulate those hours. No construction on Sundays or holidays. There can also be no construction activity before 7AM. As for the Home Goods Trailer, the CPDC was unaware that the trailer was picked up and moved every day. An abutter from Sailor Tom's Way said that there Is a lot of noise at the Home Goods site and Is not sure what it is related to, but that It Is definitely an Issue. Ms. Delios said that she can have the zoning enforcement officer look Into the Issue related to Home Goods. Mr. Weston asked about the fencing proposed on the walls for the delivery ramp. Ms. Howarth said it is made of aluminum similar to a pool enclosure. He added that there is a 6- inch curb that the fence will be constructed on. Mr. Weston said that was good as the curb will help protect it should a vehicle drive Into it. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the Minor Site Plan Review Decision for the proposal at 1342 Main Street, Home Goods. Mr. Safina Seconded and motion carried 4 -0 -0. r Certificate of Appropriateness: 50 Walkers Brook Drive, Jordan' The representative for Jordan's Furniture said that they have some changes in tenancy and some tenants will be leaving Including the trapeze school and Bose. Therefore they are updating the signage to replace Tempurpedic with Sunbrella and make some other adjustments as well. The wall sign will be re- designed so the graphics are more centered and the Trapeze School will change out to "Beanstalk Aerial Adventure ". He added that the Bose panel on the free - standing sign will be switched out as well once that new tenant is Identified. Mr. Rich Westergren said that the size of the Sunbrella signs are the same or less than the Tempurpedic signs. Page 1 2 Mr. Hansen asked about Sheet 4A.1 where the Sunbrella sign appears to be very close to the top of the building. Mr. Buschard said that It would be moved closer to the IMAX sign so not to be so close to the top of the building. Ms. Wilson asked for revised drawings to show those small changes before the drawings are submitted to the Building Department. Mr. Tony D'Arezzo, 130 John Street asked about the hours of illumination and wanted confirmation that they would be compliance with this. He said that some of the signage appear to be Illuminated outside the hours of operation. Mr. Buschard said he can look into that and ensure It is controlled and in compliance. Mr. Hansen asked whether we should send something to Home Depot to ensure they are in compliance with the lighting requirements. Ms. Delios said they would look Into it. Mr. D'Arezzo said that his concern is for the sign facing the highway. The CPDC reviewed the draft decision. It was agreed to allow future sign changes to be approved administratively. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the sign changes at 50 Walkers Brook Drive, Jordan's Furniture as amended. Mr. Weston seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Endorsement of Subdivision Plan and Approval of Covenant. 92 Sanborn Lane - Proposed Mariano Drive Ms. Wilson provided a summary of the status of the subdivision. The next step Is to endorse the plan and approve the covenant. The Town Engineer has recommended endorsement of the plan and approval of the covenant. Ms. Wilson said the Developer will then file the plans, with the covenant and easements at the registry of deeds. The CPDC endorsed and signed the plans and covenant. Planning Updates and Other Business Ms. Cellos reported that the Perfecto's Caffe building permit was Issued Bunratty Tavern - They are moving slowly, but they are coming. Project continues to move forward and they are getting close and anxious to open. There was a hearing for removal of one of the trees near Town Pizza. There had been a lot of complaints that the trees blocked the businesses storefronts. The solution was to remove the middle tree and create more of a seating area In the planted space. Mr. Weston pointed out that with the older trees that were located there before the downtown reconstruction had a higher canopy and did not block the sightlines to the storefronts. Ms. Delios said that maybe If the tree species was different, it would have been less Impact. Mr. Weston suggested that the CPDC start to think about selectively replacing the trees with a more appropriate species. Ms. Delios said that she could follow up with the tree warden on that and be more proactive about the situation. Raven's Family Dental - A Pre - Construction meeting was held with 200 Ash Street for Dr. Raven's office, and during that meeting a revised plan was presented that may need further adjustments. She reminded the CPDC that during the hearing proceedings, various options for additional landscaping was discussed. The Applicant was then to further develop a plan that allowed for some greenery along the front side of the building. What they came back Page 1 3 with was a planting area in front of the ramp, but they would like to do planters rather than cut into the pavement. The CPDC discussed the various options. It was agreed to have them look at doing a tree lawn In the right of way in front of the handicap ramp. Ms. Delios said the second Issue relates to the dumpster. According to state law they need one for recycling and one for trash. The currently proposed dumpster enclosure will not fit both. They are going to try and work something out with the hauler so they would not need to expand the enclosure, but they may need to. Mr. Weston said he would be okay with having that be reviewed and approved by Staff, but would want to verify whether there would be any Impact to the stormwater plan. Ms. Delos said the third issue is related to snow storage. The Conservation Administrator had some concerns about snow storage and whether it would encroach into the rain garden. They would like to propose expanding the snow storage area and they would like to lower the curb to be able to easily push the snow into the storage area. Mr. Tuttle said that curbing is part of the stormwater system and would It not be good to lower the curb. Another thing they would like to consider is moving the arborvitaes behind the dumpster to create a natural barrier between the snow storage area and the rain garden. It was agreed to have the Applicant's Engineer go back and look at the landscaping plan again and create a tree lawn either in between the proposed path and public sidewalk or move the proposed path and have it along the ramp. in N Ms. Delios reported that Articles 9 -13 were presented at Town Meeting on September 29, 2014. All passed with the exception of Article 9 Section 1, Purpose. To start preparing for November Town Meeting, Ms. Delios has developed a presentation outline. She said they may take the articles out of order and then start with zoning on Thursday. She said that the Town Manager sent an email out describing the revised approach. It was decided to take up a few of the Sections In November. She listed the new Sections that will be presented at Town Meeting noting the remainder will go at Annual Town Meeting in April of 2015. Ms. Delios said the zoning update will be under one Article and it will be an up or down vote. As for the presentation outline, there will be more emphasis on the background. That is very Important. There will also be a letter going out to Town Meeting members reminding them of the Public Forum on the 14`h and the CPDC meeting on the 20`h. The CPDC agreed allow for a continuance to the 23r° if needed. Mr. Hansen asked how the questions would be handled at Town Meeting. Ms. Delios said she would likely go section by section and ask questions. Mr. D'Arezzo asked if there were any minor changes to those sections that were not being changed. Ms. Wilson clarified that there are no changes except for numbers in those sections. Mr. D'Arezzo said It is Important to anticipate the questions on the Floor of Town Meeting. He would recommend highlighting or flagging the Sections which change the intent. He also said he would look through the document and provide feedback to Town Staff. Aooroval of Minutes The CPDC reviewed the minutes of 9/15/2015 and made minor edits Page 14 Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the Minutes of 9/15/2014 as a mended. Mr. Safina seconded and motion carried 4 -0 -0. The CPDC agreed to cancel the meetings of November 2e and December 22n° . The CPDC asked about upcoming projects. Staff replied there are not any large projects coming through, but that something eventually will come for St. Agnes, another project by Mr. Couillard, and maybe the Post Office. The CPDC then discussed the expansion of the 40R District as the vacancy of the Certainly Wood site Is very vulnerable. Adiournment Mr. Tuttle moved to adiourn at 9145PM Mr. Weston seconded and the motion carried 4 -0 -0. Page 1 5