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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-04 Historic District Commission MinutesOrq p`�V o Town of Reading Meeting Minutes RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING. MASS. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: A of 18I 1016 FEB 23 Historic District Commission Date: 2015 -11 -04 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Public Hearing Session: Attendees: Members - Present: Everett Blodgett, Chairman; Virginia Adams, Priscilla Poehler, Greg Maganzini, Ilene Bornstein Jack Williams - Alternate Member Members - Not Present: Others Present: Kenneth Margolin, Margolin Law Virginia Blodgett, 99 Prescott Street Debbie Shontz - Stackpole, 186 Summer Avenue O Mickey Krockmalnic Mary Ellen O'Neill, 125 Summer Avenue Susan & Frank Coccoluto, 195 Summer Avenue Jerry Lamb, 194 Summer Avenue Robert Littleton, Crtierion Child Enrichment Dennis Carr, 61 Temple Street Sharlene Reynolds Santo, 46 Wakefield Street Mary Gattis, 20 Willow Street Anne Godwin, 189 Summer Avenue Bob Drake, 176 Summer Avenue Cynda Rohmer, 176 Summer Avenue Mary Bishop, 53 Dana Road Stephen Crook, 127 Pleasant Street Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Mr. Blodgett designated Mr. Williams as the alternate member. He stated Ms. Bornstein will not be voting at tonight's public hearing. Mr. Blodgett opened the public hearing for 186 -190 Summer Avenue continued from October 29, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. He Introduced the Commission members and Town Counsel. ® Mr. Blodgett said the public hearing is open for public comment. The Commission reviewed the draft Decision for the Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted by Criterion Child Enrichment, Inc. With Town Counsel, they went through each page of the draft and worked out their questions or concerns. The draft Decision was edited during the public hearing. Page 1 1 Ms. O'Neil asked for strength in the language in the fate of the barn. The Commission discussed her concern. Mr. Blodgett commented on the importance of the barn. Town Counsel worked out a new condition and added it to the draft. Mr. Lamb presented a document on the proposed parking. He discussed the points of the document. Mr. Margolin commented the bulk of the proposed project has been reduced, not the number of students or staff members. Ms. Godwin read minutes from a previous CPDC meeting in regards to the Reading Montessori School. She questioned the evaluation of the parking for the Reading Montessori School compared to what the applicant proposes. Town Counsel said the number of parking spaces has to meet the approval of the CPDC not the HOC. He continued it is on record HDC would like to see fewer parking spaces. Mr. Littleton reiterated program needs and amount of staff members have not changed. The Commission discussed with Town Counsel how a future joint meeting with CPDC would work. Ms. Bornstein asked for clarification on the allowed parking spaces in the zoning bylaw compared to the Dover Amendment. Mr. Carr discussed his concerns with condition 17 with the wordage In regards to the drainage. Mr. Margolin stated the CPDC has jurisdiction over drainage. After a discussion, Town Counsel suggested adding a requirement to item 17. Mr. Blodgett questioned why the stairs in the back of the barn is not in the rulings and • conditions. The Commission agreed they have no objection to the landing. Town Counsel changed condition number one. Mr. Blodgett read Items that will now be under the edited condition number one. He discussed stonewalls that are on the property and asked that they be retained. Ms. O'Neil asked about Finding 59 in regards to the parking. She would like to add wordage about reducing the parking, without specifying the number of spaces. Mr. Blodgett said he would like to see the parking spaces reduced in front of the historic buildings. The Commission discussed where in the Decision the request for the reduction of spaces should appear. Ms. Adams recognized the applicant on how far the proposal has come from the original submission. Ms. Godwin asked how many classrooms will be held in the barn. Mr. Littleton answered there will be two classrooms. Mr. Margolin commented HDC does not have jurisdiction over the interior work. Mr. Bldogett made a suggestion on moving the parking spaces from the front of the historic building. Mr. Williams disagreed with Mr. Blodgett; he said the applicant would need parking spaces in the front to be able to operate the business. Mr. Blodgett said he made the suggestion solely based on being on the Historic District Commission. The Commission discussed if the one -year expiration of a Certificate is statutory? After ® investigating, Town Counsel clarified the wording on the Certificate. Ms. Bornstein said there should be a reasonable amount of time that the project should be completed. Mr. Margolin asked for Flexibility for the unknown of any project. Mr. Littleton said he understands the concern, he suggested once a building permit Is issued, two years should be allowed for substantial completion of the project. Page 1 2 C E Motion made by Mr. Williams, seconded by Ms Adams, to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness and a Certificate of Non - Applicability in accordance to the revised Decision. Vote was 5 -0 -0. After Ms. Adams asked what is next for the application process, Town Counsel stated the applicant would need to submit a request for modification to the CPDC. The Commission discussed attending a December 7t" CPDC meeting. Motion made by Ms. Adams, seconded by Mr. Maganzini, to close the public hearing. Vote was 5 -0 -0 Ms. Adams thanked Town Counsel for their help with the application. The Commission signed the Decision. Motion made by Ms. Adams, seconded by Ms. Poehler, to adjourn at 10:30 p.m. Vote was 5 -0 -0. Page 1 3