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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-23 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTown of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: IECEIVED i OWN CLERK ^DING. M�NSS. Community Planning and Development Commission U6 APR 2 1 P 3 2b Date: 2015 -03 -23 Time: 7:30 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: David Tuttle Nick Safina John Weston Members - Not Present: Jeff Hansen Others Present: Jessie Wilison - Community Development Administrator Marianna Correnet, Student Intern and Recording Secretary George Katsoufis- Associate CPDC Member Chuck Tirone- Conservation Adminstrator Nancy Twomey- Twomey Design Paul Kerrigan- Raven Family Dental Contractor Caroyln Parker- 3 Lorion Avenue, Cumberland Farm Representative Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Marianna Corrente Topics of Discussion: There being a quorum Mr. Safina called the meeting to order at 7:31 PM. Request for Certificate of Aoorouriateness — 303 Salem Street Cumberland Farms Service Station Ms. Parker, a Representative of Cumberland Farms explained the company is seeking approval for LED Pump Topers that will convey their "Smart Pay" program allowing customers to see member and non - member pricing. The scroll sign would have the ability to alternate between the member and non - member pricing anywhere from 0 to 60 seconds. Right now their pump topers are manually changed causing employees to shut down lanes. To make it easier for Cumberland Farm employees, the company is seeking to change the pricing of gas inside the store using LED pump topers and incorporate Smart Pay with member and non - member sign. Ms. Parker also mentioned the Smart Pay sign will be 8 seconds long and the brightness will be at level 6 out of 10. A film could be provided over the sign to make it less bright. Mr. Tuttle mentioned there is no need for the price to be changing on a continuous basis and the commission would like to minimize certain advertisement mechanisms. Page 1 1 Mr. Safina stated a gas station on the corner of Main and South Street has 6 pump toppers that do not pulse at same rate. This is a concern for him because it can be very distracting to the customers. Also, there is no guarantee they will change at the same time. Mr. Safina also stated Cumberland Farm is located in "Business B" which does not allow scrolling or internally illuminated signs. There would be concern if allowing this variance led to other businesses seeking the same variances. Mr. Weston raised another issue that there are residents across the street from Cumberland Farms that would view the flashing signs causing a distraction to the residential area. Ms. Wilson spoke on behalf of Mr. Hansen who questioned whether this request was within the jurisdiction under CPDC since as proposed, the signage is not permitted without a variance. Certificate of Appropriateness should not be issued unless it conforms to zoning or relief has been granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals. But the CPDC has issued certain Certificate of Appropriateness prior to ZBA relief, in the past. After further discussion CPDC had no objection to LED lights provided the lights did not change or flash. Mr. Tuttle suggested having conditions on the Certificate of Appropriateness. Mr. Safina agreed and stated that standard LED pumper toppers shall be non - flashing static display and the light shall be set at level 3 out of 10 at night time. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the pump topper sign at Cumberland Farms on Salem Street as amended. Mr. Weston second and the motion carried 3 -0 -0. Reauest for Minor Modification — 200 Ash Street Ravens Familv Den Ms. Wilson explained to CPDC the applicant for 200 Ash Street, Ravens Family Dental is requesting approval for final changes to the Site Plan. Ms. Twomey the architect of Raven Family Dental explained in greater detail the modification of the site plan. Previously the Commission requested landscaping at the end of the handicap access ramp, but noticed no one can easily access the ramp which is a concern for her. To obtain an accessible passage to the ramp, she is proposing to remove the pavement in front of building and plant a tree in a different location which will provide relief of landscaping and overall access to the ramp. The town engineer agreed with the cutting of the asphalt. Ms. Twomey also stated there will be two dumpsters on location due to state regulations. They will be emptied when no one is in the parking lot. Also the Conservation Administrator has asked the company to put in additional bollards and fencing to define the snow storage. Mr. Safina asked how they access the dumpster. Mr. Karriagan the Contractor of Ravens Family Dental stated they can only access the dumpster if there are no cars in the parking lot. The dumpster company arrives at 6:30 in the morning to remove any rubbish. But the employees can access the dumpster at the end of the day if needed. He also mentioned the location of the dumpster is on the left side in the north parking lot which works well for them. Mr. Weston mentioned the overall site plan is exactly what CPDC was looking for and has no objections to the current proposed minor modifications. Mr. Safina questioned if the tree is outside the property line they should not be penalized if it is knocked down by town plowing. Page 1 2 Ms. Twomey said there is a side walk in between the tree and lawn so there are barriers to prevent that from happening. Ms. Wilson stated the tree warden does want warranty and approved of their request. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to determine that the proposed modification at 200 Ash Street Raven Family Dental is a minor modification. Mr. Weston seconded and the motion carried 3 -0 -0. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC approve the minor modification at 200 Ash Street for Ravens Family Dental as amended. Mr. Weston second and the motion carried 3 -0- 0. Subdivision Bond Reduction Reauest_- Sailor Toms Wa Mrs. Wilson explained to CPDC that the developer for Sailor Toms Way is requesting a reduction in the bond amount as the majority of the improvements have been completed for the subdivision. The CPDC retains $5000 and the Developer request is to reduce the bond to $500 to cover the replacement of a tree. The town engineer supplied a memo and agrees to this reduction. The tree warden will also inspect the tree. The CPDC had no comments or concerns. Mr. Tuttle moved the CPDC to approve the subdivision bond reduction request for Sailor Toms Way as amended. Mr. Weston second and the motion carried 3 -0 -0. iew Planned Residential Development Lanauaae for Zonina Amendmen Ms. Wilson explained that the Consultant and the Zoning Advisory Committee drafted an updated language in Planned Residential Development (PRD) section as a part of the comprehensive update to the zoning bylaw and is seeking CPDC review /comments. Mr. Katsoufis said there is some ambiguity concerning definitions in the Planned Residential Development zoning amendments. There should be a simpler version on definitions with PRD and FAR (Floor Area Ratio). He also discussed section 4.10.2, overlay districts and special permit process. Mr. Tuttle suggested they should strike out section 4.10.1 because it already defined in the new zoning Bylaw. Also, to have a consistent procedure of special permits, so the board can have a chapter of administrative purposes. Mr. Katsoufis agreed that it will help the town and the developer know the baseline process to obtain a special permit. Mr. Weston raised a concern that there are different kinds of special permit with different procedures as well. The amendment must be clear that this section is referring to overlays and planned developments. Mr. Weston also mentioned reading through the proposed amendments in this section is to ensure the. layout is user friendly. Mr. Kafousis explained the difference between PRD and Planned Unit Development (PUD), also concerning different applicants using it. Mr. Weston also noted the reoccurring use of the word "developer" and mentioned there are different types of applicants as well. Mr. Tuttle mention there is some confusion in section 4.10.3.3 preliminary plan versus 4.10.3.3.8 final plan concerning copies of plans. Page 1 3 Ms. Wilson stated the amendment should include a change so that the Community Service department maintains a copy of the preliminary and final plan instead in the Town Clerk's Office. Mr. Tirone the Conservation Administrator also made comments about PRD concerning wetlands in the FAR section. He suggested to replace "as wetlands" to "and" so it can include the riverfront area. Mr. Tirone explained in further detail the riverfront area and how it affects FAR and the parcel of a lot. Mr. Weston mentioned including the riverfront area the calculations of FAR will change as well. Mr. Tirone also mentioned the amendment needs to include a distance from the wetland or riverfront from the development. Ms. Wilson stated that setting density should be left with CPDC, and letting the developer seek approval for location of improvements to the Conservation Commission. After much discussion CPDC agreed that the calculation of density including riverfront area should be worked out in a proper manner. The commissioners also discussed section 4.10.2.1 and 4.10.4.3.1 suggesting additional alternations to each section. Ms. Wilson stated CPDC will continue to review PRD zoning amendments on April 6th. Review Section 1 — Purpose of Zoning Amendments The ZAC recommended to look at the Town of Lexington's purpose statement for their bylaw. Mr. Tuttle stated he is surprised that statement doesn't mention the act of '79 and the state of Massachusetts. Mr. Safina mentioned it is a nice statement and there won't be any problems with town meeting but there might be some change in language which will lead to further discussion. Overall, the statement does not state an actual purpose. Mr. Weston noted Section 2A is referencing the bullet points that is already stated in Zoning Bylaw. Mr. Tuttle suggested to implement the purpose statement and include the bullet points language after it. Mr. Safina agreed and also suggested to look how the bullet points parallel with the Master Plan goals. Ms. Wilson stated this topic will be on the agenda for April 18th meeting for further discussion. Continue Review of Site Plan Review Regulations Page 1 4 Mrs. Wilson explained planning staff has revised the Guidelines after the CPDC discussion at the last meeting. The guidelines propose an overall description of the process including a Checklist for Site Plan Review and Minor Site Plan Review. Mr. Safina suggested incorporating a checkbox which includes an option for Minor Site Plan review. Mr. Weston also suggested adding a single page behind the application a checklist for a easier administrative process and also some blank spaces to determine other requirements that may be added. Mr. Safina mentioned the CPDC should make revisions on submitting plans as well. Mr. Weston also questioned if 14 copies is still necessary for site plan review. Ms. Wilson confirmed only one Department would like to have it electronically. But other departments, staff and board members would continue to want hard copies. She also stated, there will be a public hearing to adopt these regulations on May 4th Mr. Tuttle suggested the material should be available for review at the next meeting. Planning Updates and Other Businesses Ms. Wilson explained the property owner of 87 Walkers Brook Drive have submitted a request to the Board of Selectmen to reduce the 24 hour operation of Dunkin Donuts. She explained only Dunkin Donuts will operate 4am -10pm while the Shell Station will continue to stay open for 24 hours. The Board of Selectmen asked CPDC for any feedback or comments concerning this request. Mr. Salina suggested any signage that states 24 hours of operation of Dunkin Donuts should be removed. Mrs. Wilson agreed and mentioned their illuminated free standing sign, wall sign and menu board should be turned off at the end of their operation as well. Mrs. Wilson also explained the following updates: • There will be a public session for zoning workshop topics on April 13th. It will contain a brief PowerPoint presentation with a question and answers session with the public. It would provide feedback from town meeting members and residents which will maintain public interaction. • The next CPDC meeting will have a full agenda. Some agenda items will include: review of aquifer protection district, plan residential, commercial communication structures, plan unit development, minor modification request of Johnson woods. The climate action committee will also be formalizing a plan for a recycle bin behind CVS. • The economic development action plan will have its first public forum on April 1St • Pizza World has resubmitted their application for 306 Main Street. They will be in front of CPDC on May 4th for a site plan review and is requesting to have their fee waived. • The town will be updating their hazard mitigation plan in the near future. Approval of Minutes It was decided to the table the minutes for next meeting. Page 1 5 Mr. Tuttle moved to adjourn at 10:01PM. Mr. Weston seconded and the motion carried 3 -0- 0. Page 1 6