HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-13 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTown of •
Meeting Minutes
u
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Community Planning and Development Commission
Date: 2015 -07 -13 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:
TOWN CLERK
READING. MASS.
' . t•vu I a A T 021
Location: Selectmen Meeting Room
Community Development Director, Jessie Wilson
Assistant Town Manager, Jean Delios
Administrative Assistant Caitlin Saunders
Tony D'Arezzo, 130 John Street
Zachary Camenker, Reading Chronicle
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Saunders
Topics of Discussion:
Chairman Jeff Hansen called the meeting to order.
Public Hearing for Zoning Amendment — Section 5.6.3 Commercial Communication
Structures
Mr. Safina read the public hearing legal notice.
The CPDC reviewed the draft bylaw proposed to replace current Section 5.6.3. The CPDC
decided to change the title to `Personal Wireless Services Zoning Bylaw'.
On the Height section, D1 and D3 have the same exact last sentence so the CPDC suggested
taking out the sentence in D3.
In the setback section, Mr. Tuttle suggested removing the last sentence about the "fall zone"
from E1. There was discussion regarding the term `fall zone'. It is not mentioned anywhere else
in the bylaw so Town Counsel had recommended it be deleted. However, the CPDC decided to
keep the term as it helps describe the reasoning for the setback.
Page 1 1
Also in the Height section, in D2, AGL needs to be defined and spelled out to explain what the
committee means. The CPDC decided to have it read Average Grade Level.
In the Decision section, 4c. the CPDC was debating whether it should be Personal Wireless
Service Facility (PWSF) or PWS. They decided the intent was just PWS but agreed to spell out
`Personal Wireless Services'.
Mr. Weston noted there is a difference between collocation and site sharing. Collocation is on
the same structure while site sharing is on the same parcel. Therefore the second preference
should be changed to say `share the same parcel'.
Ms. Wilson pointed out there was a minor oversight and the CPDC needs to add the A40 district
somewhere into their preferences. They decided to add it to the fourth preference.
The CPDC wanted to clarify to the Bylaw that the Special Permit will be issued through the
CPDC.
Under Visual Guidelines number 5, the CPDC decided to change the word `person' to `party' or
some other word.
Mr. Hansen asked if the term `Town Planner' was still used or if that should be changed. Ms.
Delios noted it is still used in other places of the Bylaw so it can be kept.
Ms. Wilson noted the CPDC needs to decide how to address the conditions labeled as X right
now under section 5.6.3.4 Decision, bullets f and h. In Microsoft word the next step in bullets
would be to use i, ii, etc. The CPDC decided to eliminate the X's as bullets and just add them to
the end of the statement they are under.
Mr. Tuttle made a motion to close the hearing, seconded by Mr. Safina and approved with
a 4 -0 -0 vote.
Mr. Tuttle made a motion to recommend Section 5.6.3, Wireless Services Bylaw, for the
November Town Meeting Warrant, seconded by Mr. Safina and approved with a 5 -0 -0
vote.
Mr. Tuttle made a motion to recommend Section 5.6.3 for adoption at the November Town
Meeting, seconded by Mr. Safina and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Request for Certificate of Appropriateness — 6 Linden Street, Tread
Ms. Wilson summarized the proposal. The request is for a wall sign and a blade sign at 6 Linden
Street. The wall sign is rusted steel, and the blade sign is the same as previously drafted which is
vinyl. The wheel on the wall sign is a wheel from a bicycle and will be secured to the building
and not moving. The CPDC recommended getting the steel letters treated so any future rust will
not run down the building causing staining.
Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the wall and
blade sign, seconded by Ms. Goncalves -Dolan and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Request for Certificate of Appropriateness — 672 Main Street, Huang Kitchen
Page 1 2
Ms. Wilson summarized the proposal. This is the former China Town Cafe and the new owners
are seeking approval for a new sign. The new name of the restaurant is Huang Kitchen and will
be located in the same area as the current sign. No changes to the lighting is proposed. There was
a question regarding the color. Ms. Sara Huang, Applicant replied that the color will be the same
as the Animal Hospital sign next door which is a burgundy. The CPDC would like the applicant
to provide Ms. Wilson with color samples before moving forward.
Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve Administrative review, second by Mr. Weston and
approved with a 4 -0 -0 vote.
Reorganization
The CPDC discussed positions for the next year.
Mr. Tuttle nominated Mr. Hansen as Chairman and Mr. Safina for Secretary of the CPDC.
Mr. Tuttle made a motion to close nominations for the position of Chairman and Secretary
of the CPDC. Mr. Weston seconded and the motion carried 5 -0 -0.
Mr. Tuttle made a motion to select Mr. Hansen as Chairman and Mr. Safina for Secretary
of the CPDC. Mr. Weston seconded and the motion carried 5 -0 -0.
Zoning Amendment Workshop — PRD
The CPDC discussed the Planned Residential Development (PRD) bylaw.
Mr. Tony D'Arezzo commented that the removal of Town Meeting approval of a PRD would be
concerning.
Mr. Weston noted PRD and the Planned Unit Development (PUD) should be looked at as one.
He added that the PRD is not popular in Reading because of the requirement to go before Town
Meeting first, then seek a Special Permit is so onerous for applicants. In review of the suggested
changes, he said it really should be re- written in its entirety.
Mr. Tuttle said if the Town Meeting requirement was removed, the CPDC would still want to
ensure there are protections in place for that type of development.
Mr. Hansen suggested that the CPDC begin with trying to understand that the goal of this bylaw
is and what problem it is attempting to address. He also mentioned looking into how to research
this and look at what other towns have done. He also suggested listening to feedback from the
citizens and Town Meeting and maybe have a discussion with the Zoning Board of Appeals to
see what they have dealt with in the past that may be related to this type of development.
Updates
Ms. Wilson said she has not heard anything regarding the two proposed 40B Projects. She said
that owner of the MF Charles building will be in next meeting for commercial use for the second
and third floors. The Perfectos building is coming along and Bunratty's is now open. The new
Sam's Bistro sign is up. The butcher shoppe decided not to do the outdoor seating because of
costs. The EDC was sunset on June 30th so we need to think about how to run the fagade and sign
improvement program since they were the ones who approved those projects.
Page 1 3
Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the minutes from June 22nd as amended, seconded by
Mr. Weston and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Mr. Tuttle made a motion to adjourn at 9:30 PM, seconded by Mr. Weston and approved
with a 5 -0 -0 vote.
Page 1 4