HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-08 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTown of Reading
;I Meeting Minutes �EiY£
CLERKS
Board - Committee - Commission - Council: ?tA A
Community Planning and Development Commission
Date: 2015 -06 -08 Time: 7:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: General Business
Attendees: Members - Present:
Chairman Jeff Hansen
Nick Safina
Karen Goncalves -Dolan
Dave Tuttle
John Weston
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Community Development Director Jessie Wilson
Administrative Assistant Caitlin Saunders
Christopher Ponzo, owner 306 Main Street
Bill Bergeron, Hayes Engineering
Greg Chesnulovitch, Old Redding Butcher Shoppe
Nichole Carroll, Carroll Designs
Stephen Crook
Jim Bolland, Fuddruckers
James Christopher, RCA Architects
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Saunders
Topics of Discussion:
Minor Site Plan Review - 360 Main Street
The owner of the building Chris Ponzo was present. He explained the project consists of
exterior renovations to make the site look better. He will be doing vinyl shingle siding, and
a farmer's porch on front. The new windows and doors will be Harvey brand and white. He
explained he will be doing some landscaping between the porch and the driveway. He noted
eventually he wants to go in and gut the whole building and do it over. There will be no new
signage on the building at the moment. Mr. Ponzo said they will be rewiring and doing
underground electric and also switching from oil to gas. He said he is going to plant trees
along the back to act as a buffer to the neighbors and will be redoing the stone work.
Mr. Tuttle, second by Ms. Goncalves- Dolan, moved that the Reading Community
Planning and Development Commission, upon request from Christopher Ponzo,
Approve the Minor Site Plan Review; for exterior renovations of the building
located at 360 Main Street. Motion carried 5 -0 -0.
Minor Modification Reguest to PUD Special Permit - Johnson Woods
Bill Bergeron from Hayes Engineering was present to explain the request. They are
proposing to move the single family home on Green Meadow Drive over to Talbot Lane. This
will allow them to make a triplex into a duplex which they believe is more in line with the
Page I 1
current market. This will also give the residents in the Green Meadow building more
parking. The request includes relocation of one affordable unit from 30 Taylor Drive to 16
Taylor Drive. This will allow room for a community room in the lobby of 30 Taylor Drive.
The applicant noted the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is
amenable to the change so long as the CPDC has approved it. The application would like the
water main on Green Meadow to remain as shown for convenience. The CPDC agreed to this
request.
The CPDC discussed the application. Ms. Wilson told the CPDC that DHCD does need to
approve an amended regulatory agreement in order to move the affordable unit and the
draft decision includes a condition to address this.
Mr. Tuttle made a motion that these changes constitute a Minor Modification,
seconded by Mr. Safina and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the Minor Modification as amended, seconded
by Mr. Safina and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Minor Modification Request — 159 -169 Haven Street
The Olde Redding Butcher Shoppe is proposing outdoor seating in between the two buildings
where there are currently 4 parking spaces that are seldom utilized. They would like to
seasonally close off those spaces and put out tables and chairs for anyone to use. Staff
would monitor and keep the space clean of trash. The applicant noted the spaces are hidden
and most people are not aware they exist. The CPDC noted they do not like to eliminate
parking in the downtown area. The applicant noted those spaces are rarely used. He also
noted in the winter that is where they store all the snow. The CPDC suggested removing the
yellow lines to make it appear less like a parking lot. The staff also commented the flower
pots he has now are not big enough and not safe enough to use as barriers to the space. He
noted he would pull the tables and chairs in at night but the planters would stay out all
season to keep the space blocked. The CPDC noted he needs a 3 foot wide access to the
space from Haven Street so consider removing one of his plants. The applicant will further
work with Town Staff to come up with solutions that address the concerns with safety.
Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the minor modification for the proposed
outdoor seating at 159 -169 Haven Street, seconded by Ms. Goncalves -Dolan and
approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Minor Site Plan Review Application and Certificate of Appropriateness —
Fuddruckers
Fuddruckers is proposing interior renovations to add seating and cosmetic updates with new
signage. They are moving the bakery into the kitchen to allow for more space out front.
There will be a new, more efficient front counter. They are proposing to add a fireplace in
the seating area. They are proposing new signage on the exterior as well as galvanized
awnings. The new sign will include the new logo with fewer colors and the new galvanized
awnings will replace the current yellow awnings. They are increasing their seating from 150
to 250. The architect verified that the site will have a surplus of about 12 parking spots
after accounting for the new seating. There will be new gooseneck lighting fixtures angled
so the bulb is not visible above each of the new galvanized awnings. The wall sign will be
internally illuminated. The CPDC recommended removing the 2 goosenecks above the sign
and moving the sign up higher above the awnings. There was a question regarding egress
and whether it can accommodate the increase in seating. The Applicant indicated the egress
plans /doors can already handle the extra crowd they might have. The CPDC asked them to
modify the halo illumination to shine behind the banner portion of the sign.
Mr. Tuttle moved to approve the certificate of appropriateness for Fuddruckers
Restaurant located at 50 Walkers Brook Drive, seconded by Mr. Weston and
approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Page 1 2
Mr. Tuttle moved to approve the minor site plan review for Fuddruckers
Restaurant located at 50 Walkers Brook Drive, seconded by Mr. Safina and
approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Updates
There will be a Hazard Mitigation meeting next week in the Community Room at the Police
Station. Last week the second forum was held for the Economic Development Action plan.
The forum was well attended and was done 'world cafe' style. The scope for that project has
been expanded and another meeting will be added before the plan is presented to the Board
of Selectmen in November. Bunratty's is nearing the end of their construction and will
hopefully be open soon. The Perfecto's building is coming along quickly and the new Pizza
World site has construction equipment on it now. All information about the 40B projects is
on the website for viewing.
Minor Modification Request and Certificate of Appropriateness — 530 Main Street
Ms. Wilson provided a summary of the proposal. She said this is the current Grumpy's Ale
House restaurant but is now under new ownership and will be changing the name to
Biltmore & Main. They are proposing interior renovations and new signage and fagade
treatments. The Applicant indicated the restaurant will be more upscale, and that their other
locations have received very good reviews. They are proposing to add a fireplace and
update the landscaping to make better use of the patio. The signage will be halo lit letters
over a wood siding across the top of the building. The lettering will be in the same location
that the current Grumpy's sign is. They will be removing the goosenecks. The blade sign will
be halo illuminated. They are proposing to keep the total number of seating the same as it
is however there will be some changes in the layout. The CPDC asked whether the door on
Main Street will be used. The Applicant indicated they would like to use it, at least during
the summer months.
They will update and fix the fence on the patio and add landscaping to enhance the look.
The CPDC advised the applicant to keep in mind any landscape buffers that were part of the
original Site Plan decision.
Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the minor modification to the approved site
plan review for 530 Main Street "Biltmore & Main ", seconded by Ms. Goncalves-
Dolan and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness for 530
Main Street "Biltmore & Main ", seconded by Mr. Safina and approved with a 5 -0 -0
vote.
Zoning Amendment Review
Aquifer Protection District
The CPDC discussed and reviewed the updated version of the Aquifer Protection District
Bylaw. This version includes a new definition of'underground storage tanks'. Stephen Crook
from Pleasant Street noted a spelling change. The CPDC made a minor change to the
definition of underground storage tank. The CPDC also recommended to include some
language into the purpose section that relates to the Administrative Consent Order to
maintain the district.
Telecommunications Bylaw
The CPDC suggested changing the language of 'Reading' to 'Town of Reading'. The CPDC
then reviewed the siting preferences. The original second preference is now the first
preference; the second preference is now entirely in an industrial zone; the third preference
is a site located within business A or C zoning district; and the fourth preference is now
residential area or Business B. The CPDC also changed the installation type preferences. The
second preference is now the first preference and the original second preference is now site
sharing.
Zoning Amendments Inclusion on November Town Meeting Warrant
Page 1 3
Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Safina moved, that the CPDC recommend inclusion of
the proposed amendments to Section 1.0 Purpose of the Reading Zoning Bylaw on
the Warrant 2015 November Town Meeting, approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Weston, moved the CPDC to recommend inclusion of
the proposed amendments to Section 5.6.3 Commercial Communications
Structures (Telecommunications Bylaw) and associated changes to Definitions in
Section 2.0 and Table of Uses Section 5.3 of the Reading Zoning Bylaw on the
Warrant for 2015 November Town Meeting, approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Ms. Gonca Ives- Dolan, moved the CPDC to recommend
inclusion of the proposed amendments to Section 10.3 Aquifer Protection District,
associated changes to Definitions in Section 2.0, associated changes to text in
Section 3.2 Zoning Map, and associated changes to text in Section 3.4.1 Lots in
Two Districts of the Reading Zoning Bylaw on the Warrant for 2015 November
Town Meeting, approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Safina moved, to approve the minutes from April 6th as
amended, approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Weston moved, to approve the minutes from April 13th
as amended, approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Safina moved, to approve the minutes from May 18th
as amended, approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Safina moved, to adjourn at 11:30 PM, approved with a
5 -0 -0 vote.
Page 1 4