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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-09 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutesyorq Town of Reading Meeting Minutes r, , 'iNCOPYOPP 11 C _ L.�1�1 �L I VXJ�• Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Community Planning and Development Commission j016 JUG -1 A & 2b Date: 2016 -05 -09 Time: 7:30 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Purpose: General Business Version: Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Jeff Hansen, Nick Safina, John Weston, Dave Tuttle and Karen Goncalves- Dolan Members - Not Present: Others Present: Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios, Community Development Director Julie Mercier, Tony D'Arezzo, Lisa Laspina, Margy and Willie Chin, Yasmeen Kouki Minutes Respectfully submitted By: Caitlin Saunders on behalf of Jeff Hansen Topics of Discussion: Acting Chair Mr. Safina called the meeting to order. Planned Residential Development Special Permit — Final Plan Review Applicant: Jesse & Sarah Wilson. 149 Van Norden Road Applicants Jesse and Sarah Wilson, Attorney Brad Latham and Engineer Jack Sullivan were present on behalf of the application. Ms. Mercier gave a brief overview of the project. Mr. Weston entered the meeting at 7:35 PM. Mr. Latham explained that certain waivers have been requested and are appropriate given the small scope of the project. Specifically, the Applicants do not desire to construct a full subdivision road for the creation of one additional lot. He pointed out that the Final PRO Plan is substantially similar to the prior Preliminary PRO Plan that the Commission approved. Mr. Sullivan described the project. He noted that the Applicants are proposing the creation of a second lot with a house and a new driveway. He explained that a PRO requires 60,000 square feet of total tract area and that the site has more than 105,000 square feet. Both proposed lots will meet the dimensional requirements of the 5 -20 Zoning District. He stated that no work will be done to the existing house. He noted that the Conservation Commission issued an Order of Resource Area Delineation (ORAD), and that no work will be performed within 100 feet of the wetlands. He pointed out that a'no cut zone' has been delineated along the eastern property boundary to protect the buffer while the new driveway is put in. The project will leave close to 50% of the site as open space and a note will be added to the plans indicating "no further subdivision." He Page I I pointed out that porous pavement will be used to mitigate any drainage issues, and that trees will only be cut as needed for the driveway and utility installation. He mentioned some of the requested waivers, and noted that the Applicants do not think they should have to underground the utilities to the existing house or survey every tree with 6" caliper or greater within the open space area. He agreed that a waiver from providing a detailed landscaping plan would be sought if the Commission is ok with granting it. Mr. Safina noted he would be okay with waiving the landscaping and cautioned the applicant to be careful to protect the `no cut zone.' Mr. Hansen entered the meeting at 7:50 PM. Mr. Weston asked if the Applicants would be okay with providing a public shade tree plan, and Mr. Sullivan agreed. Mr. Tuttle suggested that the Applicants should note if any trees of 6" caliper or greater will be removed, and that this information could be added to the plan on which the public shade trees are identified. Mr. Sullivan agreed to identify such trees within the limits of work. Public Comment There was no public comment. Mr. Tuttle moved that the CPDC approve the Final PRD Plan and Decision with conditions and waivers as amended, for 149 Van Norden Road. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weston and approved with a 4 -0 -1 vote with Mr. Hansen abstaining. Site Plan Review — Minor Modification: Perimeter Fence Material Applicant: Artis Senior Livina. 1100 Main Street Angelina Rotella from Artis Senior Living was present on behalf of the application. Ms. Rotella explained that Artis Senior Living would like to make a purely material change to the perimeter fence that was approved with the 2013 Site Plan. She noted that the fence design, height and location will remain the same, but that the fence will be vinyl instead of pressure treated wood. Vinyl is easier to maintain, lasts longer and is more durable. The fence will be a beige /almond color. Public Comment Willie Chin of 11 Anson Lane asked why Artis is changing the fence. Ms. Rotella responded that the vinyl material is easier to maintain. Mr. Chin asked if both sldes of the fence will be cleaned. Ms. Rotella explained that vinyl tends to self -clean when it rains. Lisa LaSpina of 1082 Main Street noted that her property directly abuts the project to the left. She noted some discrepancies between what is shown on the plans, and what she was promised by the developer with regards to the existing fence on her property and proposed landscaping. Ms. Rotella explained that the plan In question is the plan that was approved in 2013, and she agreed to work with the abutters off -line to resolve any issues regarding property lines, fencing and landscaping. It was noted that any minor modifications to the plans resulting from such conversations would need to be administratively approved by the Town. Mr. Safina noted that the 8 -foot fence that was approved in 2013 is shown to extend all the way to the property line, which will block sight lines for exiting vehicles. He suggested that the Commission add a condition to require the last 8 -foot section of the fence to step down to 4 feet and to extend only to the stop line, not to the property line. Mr. Tuttle moved that the CPDC approve the Minor Modification as amended for 1100 Main Street. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weston and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Page 1 2 Workina Grou 40R Expansion / Downtown Rezonina Workshop Recap Ms. Mercier described the logic used in compiling the feedback from the Downtown Zoning Workshop on April 11, 2016. The Commission reviewed the feedback and discussed next steps. Mr. Safina suggested displaying the information in a more graphic format for a presentation to Town Meeting. He opined that the Commission could get feedback from Town Meeting this year, and then write zoning changes for Town Meeting next year. Mr. Hansen asked if the Commission should hold another public forum before going forward. Mr. Weston commented that the Commission should continue working, and then go to Town Meeting when they are ready rather than allowing the Town Meeting schedule to dictate the zoning schedule. Ms. Delios suggested that the Commission make a presentation to the Board of Selectmen to get their input before determining a direction to take. The Commission agreed to meet with the Board of Selectmen toward the end of June. Sian Bylaw Mr. Safina noted that the Working Group went through all the definitions and added softer language to the preamble. He stated that their plan is to clean up the current bylaw before making any substantive changes. Mr. Tuttle opined that the CPDC should have something for November Town Meeting. Ms. Delios suggested doing it in two pieces: 1) cleanup for this November, and 2) changes for Town Meeting in 2017. Ms. Mercier suggested that another session with Town Counsel might be helpful to clarify some of the regulations on content. The Commission agreed to invite Town Counsel to their next meeting, at which a 2nd draft of the proposed Sign Bylaw revisions would be reviewed. Site Plan Review Ms. Mercier noted that it is tricky to determine an appropriate threshold that is objective without allowing things to slip through the cracks. She opined that sometimes judgment calls have to be made, and that some of the language is vague to allow that. Mr. Weston commented that regulating projects based on the size of interior or exterior work proposed is not necessarily the answer - the review should be based on potential impacts to abutters and to public health, safety, and welfare. Ms. Mercier described that the different levels of review were retained: Site Plan Review, Minor Site Plan Review, and Minor Site Plan by Administrative Approval. She pointed out where she changed the thresholds, and which thresholds she moved from one level of review to another. The Commission agreed to review the changes and send Ms. Mercier their comments. Minor Amendments Ms. Mercier explained that the Accessory Structures bylaw is currently very confusing. She said the Building Inspector provided some great feedback on how to simplify it based on problems he faces when issuing building permits. Page 1 3 Ms. Mercier stated that she consulted the Building Inspector on Lot Shape as well, and that he Indicated that he does not apply it to existing lots at all. She commented that she is not clear on where the confusion Is coming from. She noted that Animal kennel and Pet Grooming need to be defined separately, and that she added a Special Home Occupation section to cover relatively minor home -based commercial uses that are not accounted for at all in the current Zoning Bylaw. She pointed out that a Home Occupation is currently allowed by- right, but is limited to the residents of a property. She noted that a Special Permit would be required for a Special Home Occupation, so the Commission would have discretion and could add conditions as needed. Mr. D'Arezzo asked if the Commission looked at Section 7.5 and determined how many properties would be affected by the language. Ms. Delios noted that the Commission should discuss this at their next meeting when Town Counsel is present. dates and Other Tonics Readino Public Library Sion Ms. Delios explained that the proposed Site Sign for the Reading Public Library is a bit taller and narrower than what the Commission saw during Site Plan Review. She noted that the sign will be a basic free - standing sign with no illumination. Mr. Weston asked how it compares to our regulations for business signs In residential zones. He opined that if it complies he is fine with it. Mr. Safina commented that the sign does not have to comply because it is a municipal sign but we can still show that it does. The Commission agreed that the sign complies with the Zoning Bylaw. Rite Aid Ms. Mercier explained that the Rite Aid on Bolton Street is doing interior renovations as well as exterior work and a wide range of site work. She read through the list of improvements, which include repainting the building, fixing the wood siding, adding reflective panels to the bollards, replacing stop signs, trimming and removing some trees, and renovations to the handicap ramp. Mr. Weston asked for more details about the trees. Ms. Mercier showed the pictures and locations of the trees proposed for removal. Mr. Safina noted that he is ok with an Administrative Approval for the work as long as it is stipulated that no trees shall be removed. The Commission agreed. Minutes Mr. Tuttle moved that the CPDC accept the April 11v', 2016 minutes as written. Mr. Safina seconded the motion and it was approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Mr. Tuttle moved that the CPDC accept the March 7'", 2016 minutes as amended. Mr. Safina seconded the motion and it was approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Mr. Tuttle moved that the CPDC accept the March 21'`; 2016 minutes as written. Mr. Safina seconded the motion and it was approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Mr. Tuttle moved that the CPDC adjourn at 10:30pm. The motion was seconded by Mr. Safina and approved with a 5 -0 -0 vote. Page 1 4 Documents reviewed at the meetina: CPDC Agenda 5/9/16 CPDC Minutes 4/11/16 CPDC Minutes 3/21/16 CPDC Minutes 3/7/16 Memo from Community Development Director to Commission, dated 5/5/16 149 Van Norden Road PRO: a) Application and supporting materials, received 3/21/16. b) Final PRD Plans, dated 2/25/16. c) Drainage Report, dated 2/25/16. d) List of Waivers Requested, dated 5/5/16. e) Draft Decision, dated 5/9/16. Ards Senior Living Minor Modification: a) Application Package, dated 5/2/16. b) Sheet C -8: Fence Plan approved on 8/26/13. c) Draft Decision, dated 5/9/16. Working Group Updates: a) 401 / Downtown Rezoning • Consolidated Feedback from April 11, 2016 Downtown Zoning Workshop b) Sign Bylaw • tar Draft of revisions c) Site Plan Review • 1'r Draft of revisions d) MinorAmendments • Accessory Structures - Srt Draft of revisions • Lot Shape - existing bylaw • Animal Kennel / Pet Grooming - 0 Draft of revisions • Accessory Uses, addition of Special Home Occupation - 1' Draft of revisions Page 1 5