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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-18 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTown of Reading IA Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Community Planning and Development Commission Date: 2015 -05 -18 Time: 7:30 PM Building: Reading Town Hall 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: Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Community Development Director Jessie Wilson Administrative Assistant Caitlin Saunders Lorraine Willwerth, 26 Green Street Zacary Camenker, 85 Batchelder Road Tony D'Arezzo, 130 John Street Jack Sullivan, SUllivan Engineering Brandon Simpson, 306 Main Street Mark Mastriani, Reading Woods Chris Huntress, Reading Woods Heather Dudko, Representing Chili's Sean Leonard, Pepper Dining Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Saunders Topics of Discussion: Chairman Jeff Hansen called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. �,E_t;EIVFU }y! CLrZK SS. i�IS N,i 2 3 All* 10 The Committee first discussed Sam's Bistro's request for new signage. They have a new concept and are changing their name however it will still be under the same owner. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to authorize Administrative Approval of the signage request, second by Mr. Safina and approved with a 4 -0 -0 vote. Next on the agenda was a Public Hearing for a Home Occupation Special Permit at 26 Green Street. The applicant Lorraine Willwerth was present to explain to the board her request. She noted she would like to run a skin care salon out of her home. Ms. Willwerth stated she has a relatively large parking lot however she usually only has one client at a time. She made it known that the Building Inspector Glenn Redmond said everything looked fine on his end. She explained she will not have any signs as she wishes to remain a small, quiet business with few clients. She will have a designated parking spot in her driveway for her clients. The latest appointment she would have would most likely be around 7pm. She noted Page 1 1 there is no extra trash that will be accumulated from doing this. Ms. Willwerth's neighbors were present to show their support. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to close the public hearing, second by Mr. Safina and approved with a 4 -0 -0 vote. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the Home Occupation Special Permit for 26 Green Street, second by Ms. Goncalves -Dolan and approved with a 4 -0 -1 vote, with Mr. Weston abstaining. The next agenda item was a Public Hearing for Site Plan Review at 306 Main Street also known as Pizza World. Pizza World owner Brandon Simpson and Site Engineer Jack Sullivan were present to answer any questions. This site had been before the board but was withdrawn due to some complications. The new plan has a revised drainage study with new drainage plan including multiple rain gardens with emergency overflow. There is a fence in the rear of the site for a buffer for neighbors. There is a patio out front that will have an aluminum fence around it but the CPDC would like to see more of a planted buffer and protection from the street like some mounding of the planted areas. Mr. Sullivan is working Town Engineer George Zambouras to increase the 6 inch overflow on the rain gardens. Because Main Street, (Route 28) it is a state road, MassDOT had jurisdiction over the driveway curb cuts but those have been approved. There was a discussion regarding deliveries. Due to the limited turning ability on -site, Mr. Simpson said he will ask his vendor to use smaller trucks for deliveries or he will use another vendor that does not use 18 wheelers. Mr. Tuttle asked if there are any contamination problems that may arise considering the site was previously a gas station. Mr. Sullivan noted the foundation will have helical pilings to avoid a deep foundation and they will have someone on site specifically watching for those potential issues. However they know where the problem spots are and their plans are designed to minimize contact within that area. There will be signs indicating the parking lot is a one way. Mr. Zambouras had some comments about the drainage in the rear of the building that he said he could work with Mr. Sullivan to address any issues. A suggestion was made to make use angled parking on the north and south sides to make it easier to get in and out. Mr. Simpson said there is a possibility for shared parking after 4pm in the insurance company lot next door for his employees. It was recommended the kitchen employees park there, to allow the delivery drivers spaces on- site. The dumpsters are front loaders so the trash trucks can get in and out correctly. Mr. Zambouras noted that the Applicant may need a variance on the curb cuts from the Board of Selectmen but it is unclear because the road is state - owned. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to close the hearing, second by Mr. Safina and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the waiver on the loading space, seconded by Mr. Weston and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the waiver on the granite curbing in the rear, seconded by Mr. Weston and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the waiver for additional application fees, seconded by Ms. Goncalves -Dolan and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. The CPDC reviewed the draft decision and made some minor edits. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the Site Plan Review as amended, seconded by Mr. Safina and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Next on the agenda was a request from Reading Woods for a Minor Modification to the approved Site Plan Review for landscaping around Building 5. Nine trees did not survive after being replanted. They were also placed in a very shaded area. Ms. Wilson said they are proposing to replant the area with different species that can better accommodate the shade in that area. The goal with the replanting of new plants is to shield headlights and screen Page 1 2 the site. They will change the plant species to rhododendron at a 3 -1 ratio. The CPDC added a condition to allow the rhododendron to grow at its full potential and not to be trimmed. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to determine this change is a minor modification, seconded by Mr. Weston and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the minor modification at Reading Woods as amended, seconded by Mr. Weston and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Reauest for Certificate of Appropriateness for Signage, 70 Walkers Brook Drive — Chili's Restaurant Next on the agenda was a request for Certificate of Appropriateness for signage at 70 Walkers Brook Drive, also known as Chili's. Chili's is doing a rebranding therefore they are looking to do new signage and fagade. The signage they are proposing will be more illuminated than the existing signage. They want to reface the existing panel on the free- standing sign out front. The building sign will replace the word "Chili's" with anew sign that includes the chili pepper logo and exposed neon. The "to -go" awning will be removed. The sign on the back of the building would just be backlit. The existing light fixtures would be painted black. They were proposing a neon light bordering the top of the whole building. The "to -go" sign will not be neon anymore just simply re- faced. Mr. D'Arezzo mentioned that the number of signs approved does not comply with the zoning regulations. Ms. Wilson told the CPDC when the signs were first reviewed, they were reviewed under'Design Review' in accordance with the Special Permit for Walkers Brook Crossing. The Design Review also included the fagade design of the building. Because the project was located in the PUD, the CPDC is allowed more discretion on the number of approved signs. Mr. D'Arezzo requested the CPDC consider having the request come more into compliance with current zoning. Since one sign is proposed to be removed the CPDC felt there was no need to require them to further reduce the number of signs proposed since they were issued approval for them in the past. As for the design, the CPDC noted the left side sign should be backlit like the sign on the back of the building. CPDC does not like the LED around top of the building and will not allow that. The new awnings cannot have the chili logo on them because that would be considered more signage. The side sign is 48" and the back is 44 ", if they are going to be the same sign CPDC would like them to be the same size, both at 44 ". The CPDC also requested to remove the neon on the blade sign. The side signs will only be lit by the existing goosenecks. If there is a structure being built out back over the dumpster, these plans and this decision does not cover that and they would need to resubmit plans as a separate matter. The LED band on the building is not approved. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to determine this is a minor modification, seconded by Mr. Weston and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the signage modification as amended, seconded by Mr. Weston and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Request for Minor Modification to Site Plan Review, 612 Main Street, MF Charles Building Next on the agenda was a request for a Minor Modification to a Site Plan Review at 612 Main Street, the MF Charles Building. The request is for lighting for signage on the one -story portion of the building. It was not included in the original plans because they wanted to see what the clients wanted. The fixture will be the same one that is on Bunratty's side of the courtyard. Lights are adjustable and swivel to point at signs. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to determine this is a minor modification, seconded by Mr. Safina and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Page 1 3 Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the minor modification, seconded by Mr. Safina and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Minor Site Plan Review for 145 -147 Washington Street Next on the agenda was a Minor Site Plan Review for 145- 147 Washington Street. The proposal would replace old bay windows with 3 double hung windows, and add a split AC system on the backside of the property. The proposal also involves the installation of siding, and painting of the existing porches to match siding. The CPDC felt the Ash Street fagade would lack detail and included a recommendation into the decision to consider an additional window to create more fenestration in the fagade. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the minor site plan review as amended, seconded by Mr. Safina and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Public Hearing for CPDC Rules, Regulations and Standards for Site Plan Review Next on the agenda was a Public Hearing for CPDC Site Plan Review Rules Guidelines Regulations and Standards. The new rules and regulations address the updated zoning bylaw. Ms. Wilson said that the application for Site Plan Review has also been updated and the checklist is clearer. This will hopefully streamline the process and make it easier for applicants. No comments were received from the public. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Safina and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the proposed application and administration rules guidelines and regulations for Site Plan Review, seconded by Mr. Weston and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. CPDC decided to table review of the Telecommunications Bylaw until next meeting along with the minutes. Ms. Wilson updated CPDC on current development activities. She noted there is a 40B being proposed on Lowell Street which would be a 16 unit townhouse style on a little less than an acre of land. The town is recommending denial due to all of the previous planning the town has done and this project does not fit the neighborhood. There is another proposed 40B on the corner of Lincoln and Prescott Street. It would occupy the Doucette Building and the Certainly Wood Building. They were unable to acquire the automotive shop on the corner thus the development is L- shaped. They are proposing 77 units with grade level parking and 4 floors above making it a 63 -foot tall building. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to adjourn at 11:20 PM, second by Mr. Weston and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Page 1 4