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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-13 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesOFR M. 6J9' 1NCORPO� Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: RECEIVLI) TOWN CLERK READING, MASS. Community Planning and Development Commission Bbl APR -u P S' 06 f Date: 2017-03-13 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 Nick Safina, John Weston, Dave Tuttle, Karen Goncalves-Dolan Members - Not Present: Others Present: Community Development Director Julie Mercier, Town Engineer Ryan Percival, Civil Engineer Chris Cole, Will Finch, Kim Vetter, Gina Snyder, Everett and Virginia Blodgett, Ace Foulds, Virginia Adams, Tony D'Arezzo, KC Latham Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Topics of Discussion: Chair Nick Safina called the meeting to order. Complete Streets Prioritization Plan Ms. Mercier explained that in 2014, the Board of Selectmen adopted a Complete Streets Policy. Since then, the Complete Streets Program has matured and developed a process for towns to follow to have projects funded. The next step of this process is establishing a Tier II Prioritization Plan. The Plan is supposed to be for a 5 -year time horizon, and is due to the State by April 15t She presented a priority grid prepared by Town staff based on the Town's sidewalk improvements program, the 2014 Bicycle Network and Pedestrian Priority Plan prepared by MAPC, and the 2005 North Suburban Regional Bicycle Transportation Plan prepared by Weston & Sampson. She explained the criteria used to weight the projects, and noted that additional credit was given to projects that add a transit mode to a street, and that each project was multiplied by a feasibility factor. The feasibility factor took into account whether trees or light poles would need to be removed, existing right-of-way widths, and other potential challenges. Ms. Mercier explained that the priority grid was reviewed by the Town's internal Parking Traffic Transportation Task Force (PTTTF), and modified based on department feedback. She stated that the purpose of this meeting with stakeholders is to get feedback on whether the projects should be prioritized differently, and she noted that the Town received a few emails from residents regarding other projects to be considered. She introduced Ryan Percival, Town Engineer, and Chris Cole, Civil Engineer, to the Commission. Ms. Goncalves-Dolan asked how much funding is available. Ms. Mercier replied that only $400,000 is available to each town. Page 1 1 Mr. Safina asked if the 0.25 point difference in the feasibility factor would capture the real difficulty of certain projects. He asked whether utilities were accounted for. Mr. Percival explained that DPW does not typically run into problems with underground utilities, and that the way the matrix is set up, it only takes a small multiplier to impact the prioritization. Mr. Weston inquired about the logic of weighting new construction more than infill construction, as infill would actually complete a street network. Mr. Percival explained that this was discussed by the PTTTF, and it was determined that new construction should be weighted more as it adds a mode to a street. Ms. Mercier suggested that this logic can be revisited if needed. Mr. Safina opined that if an infill project really completes a network, then it should be given higher priority. Mr. Tuttle commented that the materials presented are well done. He noted that he lives near South Street, which currently has no sidewalks. Mr. Weston asked which should come first - completeness or usage? He noted that locations like school routes, parks and playgrounds indicate usage, and asked whether Safe Routes to School data was incorporated into the priority grid. Mr. Percival replied that potential usage was not really considered; however, sidewalk projects near schools were given the most weight. Ms. Mercier added that MAPC evaluated the sidewalks, crosswalks, and accessibility on streets near all the schools in Town, and provided a thorough list of recommendations in their 2014 Plan. Many of those recommendations have been implemented; the ones that have not, are included on the priority grid. Mr. Weston asked whether the High Street sidewalk project should be given higher priority. Mr. Percival noted that it is hard to have the math weight the projects as desired, and that some projects can be hand-picked for higher priority if needed. Ms. Mercier suggested that projects in geographic proximity could be combined, which would impact overall.ranking. Mr. Safina inquired as to who decides how the money will be spent. Ms. Mercier said it is her understanding that it will be a conversation between the Complete Streets Program and Town staff. Mr. Safina noted that having the funding from the state will free up Town money for other projects. Virginia Blodgett of 99 Prescott Street noted that several members of Walkable Reading were present, including herself. She said that Walkable Reading is trying to stay on top of sidewalks and other improvements that make Reading safe to get around. She expressed disappointment with the following: the lack of bike lanes on West Street; the light pole in the middle of the sidewalk at the Summer Avenue and Woburn Street intersection; and the challenge with crossing Walkers Brook Drive at New Crossing Road due to the presence of only three crosswalks. She asked if crosswalk striping could be prioritized over sidewalks in some areas. She also opined that the intersection of Washington Street and High Street is dangerous without a crosswalk, and that the Ash Street / Bolton Street / Main Street intersection is a disaster for pedestrians. Mr. Percival noted that the Ash Street / Bolton Street / Main Street intersection is currently undergoing a Road Safety Audit by MassDOT, and that fixing it will be a multi-million dollar project. He explained that staff have spent a lot of time looking at the intersection of High Street and Washington Street, and that the series of curb cuts, MBTA parking spaces, and State requirements make it challenging to add a crosswalk. Ms. Mercier suggested that it can be looked at again. Gina Snyder of 11 Jadem Terrace opined that it is a very dangerous intersection and that something needs to be done about it. She also asked for more bike racks to be added near the train station. Everett Blodgett of 99 Prescott Street mentioned that the Reading Village 40B project with 68 units will create a lot more foot traffic in the area, and add residents who need bicycle Page 1 2 and pedestrian infrastructure. Mr. Safina noted that improvements to that area are tied into the project approval. Mr. Weston opined that the State should take some responsibility as they foisted the density in that location. Ms. Blodgett asked if crosswalks downtown could be striped more visibly. Mr. Weston pointed out that the Complete Streets Program is not really a safety program, but that many of the projects are driven by safety enhancements. He asked whether the State differentiates. Mr. Percival said the impetus is for multi -modal enhancements, but that safety cannot be ignored. He said that separate money is available for safety enhancements at high -hazard intersections. Mr. Tuttle asked whether any out-of-the-box thinking has occurred with regards to the Ash Street / Bolton Street / Main Street intersection. Mr. Safina suggested that, at the least, the whole area should be considered. Mr. Blodgett clarified that there is no sidewalk on Washington Street in front of Parker Tavern for historic reasons. He said that the historic stonewall would be compromised by a sidewalk, and opined that the other side of the street would be better for a sidewalk. Ms. Snyder asked that all projects under consideration be acknowledged on the Prioritization Plan, including the Road Diet on Main Street. She expressed the importance of getting pedestrians away from traffic, especially near dangerous intersections. Virginia Adams of 59 Azalea Circle noted that Ash Street was one of the first roads that led into the center of town from Wakefield to Reading, before Route 28 and before the MBIA. She opined that it really is an ancient way. Mr. Safina noted that Ash Street is likely to get more disconnected as Route 28 improves, and suggested perhaps there is another way to memorialize it. Ms. Blodgett expressed concern that not all sidewalks are plowed and opined that it would be nice for the Town to add more sidewalks to the plow routes. Mr. Percival offered to send her the Sidewalk Plow Maps for use with Walkable Reading. Mr. Tuttle asked if the stretch of South Street from Walnut Street to Old Walnut Street near Sturges Park could be added to the list. Ms. Mercier noted that South Street is a scenic road with no existing sidewalks and a narrow right-of-way, so it may be difficult to add a sidewalk. Mr. Blodgett noted that having a park that is hard to access defeats the purpose. Ms. Mercier explained that the priority grid will be revised based on the feedback received, then reviewed again by the PTTTF. The final list will be inputted into the Complete Streets Prioritization Plan template and submitted. Sign Permit Application — 1 Pleasant Street (aka 643 Main Street) Applicant: KC Latham of Davis, Clark & Latham Insurance Agency KC Latham was present on behalf of the Application. Mr. Latham explained that he is proposing a blade sign similar to the one that was there before. He noted that it will hang from a bracket projecting from the wall. The sign will be Reading red' to match other signs in town. Mr. Tuttle commented that it is a nice looking sign, and that the existing window graphics are allowed. Tony D'Arezzo of 130 John Street asked what floor the business is on and noted that a Master Signage Plan may be needed. Ms. Mercier clarified that the proposed sign is for a business on the 2nd floor but is not located above the 2"d floor windows. Mr. Tuttle noted Page 1 3 that the Sign Bylaw allows 1 blade sign per business and does not specify which floor. After some discussion, the Commission agreed that the sign is allowed. Mr. Tuttle moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for 1 Pleasant Street. The motion was seconded by Ms. Goncalves-Dolan and approved with a 4-0-0 vote. Review of Stormwater Bylaw Guidelines & Site Plan Review Guidelines Ms. Mercier explained that the draft Guidelines largely match their respective bylaws, so as not to overcomplicate things. She noted that the Commission should wait to take an official vote on them until after the Attorney General's Office issues an opinion. Mr. Weston noted that many projects will need to apply for both Site Plan Review and Stormwater Review, and that they should be integrated. Ms. Mercier agreed to revise the language to make this clear. Planning Updates and Other Topics Zoning/Visioning Working Group Ms. Mercier noted that the Zoning/Visioning Working Group Kick -Off meeting was postponed due to the snow storm. Minutes Mr. Tuttle moved to approve the February 13, 2017 minutes. The motion was seconded by Ms. Goncalves-Dolan and approved with a 4-0-0 vote. Mr. Tuttle moved to approve the February 27, 2017 minutes. The motion was seconded by Ms. Goncalves-Dolan and approved with a 4-0-0 vote. Town Meeting Presentation The Commission reviewed the draft presentation for April Town Meeting and discussed what potential questions might be asked, especially with regards to the Downtown Smart Growth District expansion. A suggestion was made that multiple Commission members present the articles this time. Scheduling Due to the large amount of applications, the Commission agreed to add a second April meeting on April 19tH Mr. Tuttle moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 P.M. The motion was seconded by Mr. Safina and approved with a 4-0-0 vote. Documents reviewed at the meeting: CPDC Agenda 3/13/17 CPDC Minutes 2/13/17 & 2/27/17 Draft Site Plan Review, Minor Site Plan Review, and Stormwater Guidelines Complete Streets Prioritization Plan: a) Priority Grid b) Supporting Images c) Press Release & Bi -Weekly Update Sign Permit Application - 1 Pleasant Street (aka 643 Main Street): a) Sign Permit Application b) Supporting Documentation c) Draft Certificate of Appropriateness, dated 3/13/17 Page 1 4