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Home My WebLink About2016-04-11 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesV1 grRG Town of Reading -' r � Meeting Minutes ( iTl Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Community Planning and Development Commission Date: 2016 -04 -11 Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Address: 49 Pleasant Street Purpose: Downtown Zoning Workshop Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 6:30 PM = Cf IV CLERK 44 MASS. iulb G Y 10 A 8. 33 Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Session: Version: Chair Jeff Hansen, Dave Tuttle, John Weston, Nick Safina, Karen Goncalves- Dolan. Members - Not Present: Others Present: Community Development Director Julie Mercier, George Katsoufis of the 4011 Working Group, Mary Ellen O'Neill, Tony D'Arezzo, Jessie Boudreau, Kristen Olsen, Marilyn Cincotta, Pamela Adrian, Elaine Stone, Nick Gagnon, Marianne Downing, Tom Bergendahl, Christie Moore, Jim Freeman, Philip LeBlanc, Jonathan Barnes, Jim Queeney, David McDonald, Edna McDonald, Jason Peledge, David Cory, Dave Freeman, Andrew McA'Nulty, Dennis Dorandi, Michael Bourque, Colm Ellot, Kurt Gustafson, Lorraine Wilson, Stephan Weynicz, Sharlene Reynolds- Santo, Peg Russell, Jack Russell, Joyce Gould, Michael Kyes, Celeste Kracke, Peter Kracke, Cathy Silva, Anne Godwin, Mary Sewall, Ernie Bay, Gordon McIntosh, Susan Viegas, Leah Monteiro, Mary Coneeney, Rusty Harris, Sara Gardner, Gina Snyder, Bo Garrison, Kevin Sexton, Virginia Adams, Judith Clark, Sarah Brukilacchio, Eileen Manning, Steve D'Amico, Carmela D'Amico, Rich Haggerty, Julie Aylward, Nathan Cresley, Steve Sadwick, Deborah Harris Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Topics of Discussion: Chair Jeff Hansen called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM. From 6:30 - 7:15 people filtered in, ate pizza, asked questions about the maps and posters, and familiarized with the 5 areas under review: 1. The south side of Woburn Street from High Street to Sanborn Street; 2. The Business B Green Street neighborhood south of the Downtown Smart Growth District; 3. The Business B Main Street corridor from Haven Street to the railroad tracks. 4. The A -40 residential neighborhood east of Main Street; and 5. The 5 -15 residential neighborhood along Lincoln Street across from Reading Depot. At 7:15, Mr. Katsoufis and Ms. Mercier gave a presentation. Mr. Katsoufis began with an overview of the Town's Master Plan and Economic Development goals relating to the Priority Development Areas, the downtown, housing and mixed -use development. He then reviewed the existing Downtown Smart Growth 4011 District and the 5 areas that the 40R Working Page 1 1 Group identified for potential expansion or rezoning. He gave a detailed description of each area, Including: the structures and uses that exist today, what the existing zoning allows, and what it would mean to expand the 40R District into each area. Ms. Mercier continued the presentation with a quick overview of the State's Chapter 40R - what it allows, the requirements, the benefits, and the potential limitations on the Town. She continued with a discussion of other zoning mechanisms, such as overlays, that could be appropriate for Reading. She noted that many of the overlay districts in the State's Smart Growth Toolkit have the same basic principles but are applied in different locations, and that the Town could create its own overlay by selecting provisions from different model bylaws that it feels are appropriate for the area under consideration. She discussed some of the different provisions that would be considered in the creation of an overlay district zoning bylaw. Ms. Mercier then asked the attendees to participate in a Visual Preference Survey in order to solicit feedback on the areas under consideration, the types of uses desired in each area, and on specific zoning options for each area. The attendees were asked to use different colored dots to indicate their preferences on the maps at their tables, and on posters on easels at the back of the room. They were also given post -its to allow for more detailed feedback as needed. Specifically, Ms. Mercier asked the following questions: 1. Which areas should the CPDC prioritize? 2. Which uses are appropriate in each area? 3. Which zoning tools are appropriate in each area? 4. Do you have more specific feedback? The CPDC members helped answer questions and administer the Visual Preference Survey at each table. Ms. Mercier and Mr. Katsoufis circulated to answer questions as well. Halfway through the Visual Preference Survey, Chair Hansen conducted a question and answer session and public comment period with the participants. Deborah Harris, 90 Woburn Street, expressed her concern about allowing too much housing considering that there Is already a parking problem downtown. Chair Hansen responded that the Town hired a consultant to do a Parking Management Study in 2009 and is continuing to prioritize parking issues, whether indirectly through the creation of pedestrian friendly streets and bike paths, or directly through management of existing parking assets. Several residents indicated that street parking in and around downtown is sparse, a situation that is especially difficult for residents of these neighborhoods who do not have dedicated driveway spaces. Two residents expressed concern with the amount of sub shops, banks, and nail salons in the downtown area, and opined that it seems that different types of businesses to not favor Reading at this point in time. Selectman Kevin Sexton mentioned that the FY 17 budget includes a new Economic Development Planner position, which would help the Town attract more diverse businesses and sustain existing businesses. Mr. Weston noted that Reading has changed of the past 10 years, and that Town residents need to develop a vision for Reading moving forward, which would Involve looking at options for the downtown area. Virginia Adams, 59 Azalea Circle, mentioned that she is a former member of the Downtown Steering Committee, and that she would like to see the empty commercial spaces occupied before the Downtown Smart Growth District Is expanded. David McDonald, 11 Arlington Street, inquired about the limits of the Area 5 - the S -15 residential neighborhood along Lincoln Street. He noted that the area boundary includes Page 1 2 some conservation land. Ms. Mercier responded that the area boundaries are for discussion purposes only, but that they were drawn to include whole parcels, and that it is common for parcels to include non - buildable portions. A resident from Center Avenue expressed that he favors growth like that on Haven Street, which has become a rejuvenated place of choice for many residents. He opined that the Town needs to do better in attracting and retaining businesses in order to reduce the tax burden on residents. Ms. Mercier concluded the workshop by thanking everyone for attending and explaining that the next steps for staff and the Commission will include digesting all of the feedback and determining a way forward. She noted that additional public meetings will be held as the process continues. Mr. Weston moved that the CPDC adjourn at 9:35 PM. The motion was seconded by Ms. Goncalves -Dolan and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Documents reviewed at the meetino_: CPDC Agenda 4/11/16 Downtown Zoning Workshop Memo, dated 3/29/16. Visual Preference Survey Outline, prepared by Community Development Director. Area Data Sheets, prepared by George Katsoufis. PowerPoint Presentation: "Downtown Reading Future Growth ", April 11, 2016, Senior Center. a) Model & Example Bylaws a. Mixed Use Overlay District b. Village Center Overlay District c. Transit Oriented Development Overlay District d. Wakefield Mixed Use Overlay District e. Melrose Rail Corridor Overlay District b) Handouts a. What is 40R? b. Zoning Comparison Chart c. Zoning Mechanisms - Quick Notes C) Maps a. 24" x 36" Overall Map - planimetric of all 5 areas under consideration. b. 11"x 17" Area 1 Map - South Side of Woburn St. from High St. to Sanborn St. c. 11" x 17" Area 2 Map - Business B Green St. Neighborhood south of DSGD d. 11"x 17" Area 3 Map - Business B Main St. Corridor from Haven St. to Railroad Tracks e. 11" x 17" Area 4 Map - A -40 Residential Neighborhood east of Main St. f. 11" x 17" Area 5 Map - 5 -15 Residential Neighborhood along Lincoln St. d) Posters a. Area 1 - Zoning Options b. Area 2 - Zoning Options c. Area 3 - Zoning Options d. Area 4 - Zoning Options e. Area 5 - Zoning Options Page 1 3