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Home My WebLink About2017-09-25 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesQP R�d��c Town of Reading -A, h Meeting Minutes _ „ _ S 0 • 3s,rxcoRQ°a READING, Board- Committee - Commission - Council: Community Planning and Development Commission ZQII OCT —3 A �'i. �'• Date: 2017-09=25 Time: 7:30 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Nick Safina, Dave Tuttle; John Weston Members - Not Present: Karen Goncalves-Dolan Others Present: Community Development Director Julie Mercier, Rich Stuart, Bill Lumbard, Philip, Christiansen, Tony D'Arezzo, Barbara �Melanson Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Topics of Discussion: Chairman Nick Safina called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. Continued Public Hearing, Definitive Subdivision Plan — "Barton Estates' 48-54 Franklin Street, S&L Homes LLC Bill Lumbard, Rich Stuart and Philip Christiansen, PE were present on behalf of the Application. Mr. Safina asked if the Town Engineer has approved the subdivision plan. Ms. Mercier replied in the affirmative, and noted that the Town Manager is.ok with the proposed land conveyance to the Town, which will enable future trail connections to'existing Town -owned lands. She noted that the Applicant will be back before the Conservation Commission this Wednesday night. Mr., Christiansen, project engineer, described the changes to the stormwater design and roadway layout, which include 26' of pavement with granite curbing along both sides of the roadway. There are curb openings along one side to allow for stormwater runoff into swales and infiltration chambers. He confirmed that the wetland line has been established. Mr. Christiansen. described the proposed trail easement and land conveyance to the Town. A portion of the rear of the site will be donated to the Town under the control of Conservation for future development of trails; it will, be accessed via a 5' wide trail easement across proposed Lot 3. Ms. Mercier noted that the Conservation A%dministrator typically wants a. 10' easement.for a 5' trail, and asked if the easement could be wider. Mr. Safina noted that the details can be worked out with the Conservation Commission. Mr. Tuttle asked about the `future easement' discussed at the last hearing which would have extended almost out to Eastway. Mr. Stuart explained that it is easier to just donate the Page 1 1 land to the Town rather than'providing multiple. easements to different access points. Mr. Weston suggested planting bushes on Lot 3 to create a privacy barrier to the easement. Mr. Safina opened the meeting to the public and closed it with no public comments. Mr. Safina acknowledged the letter from residents regarding their concerns with traffic. He noted that the Commission is not worried about traffic generated from a net of three new homes. Mr. Weston commented that he takes the neighbors'_word that traffic is tough on Franklin Street. Mr. Safina mentioned the vehicle crash report, and noted that the crashes listed were at the intersections of Franklin & Main and Franklin & Haverhill, and not at site driveways. Ms. Mercier mentioned that the Subdivision Regulations allow the Commission to ask for sight line easements at the roadway apron if needed. The Commission agreed that sight line easements are not really needed for this project. Mr. Tuttle opined that the project might improve the appearance of the road. The Commission reviewed the Draft Decision. Ms. Mercier mentioned that the sidewalk should be modified to wrap around the driveway apron, and that the crosswalk should be removed from the plans or relocated so it aligns with the new sidewalk location. Mr. Weston noted that wrapping the sidewalk around the apron will create an area that will not be planted, thus creating an improved sight line condition. Ms. Mercier mentioned that she will present the proposed crosswalk location to the Parking Traffic Transportation Task Force at their next meeting. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to close the public hearing for the Definitive Subdivision Plan - 'Barton Estates' at 48-54 Franklin Street. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weston and approved with a 3-0-0 vote. Mr. Stuart noted that he reviewed the Draft Decision and is okay with it. The Commission discussed the Tree Planting Plan. Mr. Christiansen said that the developer will seek approval from the Tree -Warden and Conservation Commission for the species of trees that will be planted. Mr. Weston noted that the tree that conflicts with the new sidewalk design will need to be relocated or removed. - Ms. Mercier brought forward the revised list of waivers. Mr. Safina reviewed the 8 waivers: topography plan; wetlands, full traffic report, pavement width, sidewalk on one side, cross section of roadway, island in the cul-de-sac, roadway built off center. Mr. Christiansen confirmed there will be a 45' pavement cul-de-sac radius to allow for Fire Department turn around and snow plowing. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the Definitive Subdivision Plan - 'Barton Estates' at 48-54 Franklin Street as amended, including the requested waivers. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weston and approved with a 3-0-0 vote. Continued Public Hearing, Site Plan Review & Special Permit 292 (aka 288) Grove Street, Meadowbrook Golf Club No one was present on behalf of the Application. Mr. Safina stated that at the request of the Applicant, the public hearing for 292 Grove Street will be continued until October. 16, 2017 at 7:30 PM: Mr. Tuttle made a motion to accept the request to continue the public hearing to October 16, 2017. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weston and approved with a 3-0-0 vote. Planning Updates and Other Topics Ms. Barbara Melansbn of 704 Haverhill Street commented that she had a hard time hearing the Commission members. Mr. Safina agreed the acoustics in the Selectmen Room need to be improved. Page 1 2 x Mr. Weston suggested a committee be formed to address the downtown parking situation. Mr. Tuttle expressed concern that with all the proposed projects downtown, there will be significant impacts to parking and traffic. Ms. Mercier stated that Andrew Corona, Economic Development. Director,, has been in discussion with local businesses for input, and is working on the downtown parking situation. Ms. Mercier reminded the Commission about the Economic Development Summit on October 4th at the Reading Public Library.. She mentioned,that Jay. Ash will be there. Ms. Mercier also informed the Commission about the Housing Production Plan Renewal Community Forum on October.30, 2017.'She noted that formal invitations will be sent out for this meeting, and asked the Commission members if they would be facilitators. Ms. Mercier said due to the upcoming Columbus Day holiday, the first October meeting is one week from tonight, on October 2"d. She reminded them that a site visit has been scheduled to 26 Green Street immedlately, before the. meeting..She said that the owner of 26 Green Street would like the Commission to stand on her porch and visualize the potential impact of the 24 Gould' Street project. Ms. Mercier noted that the recent approval of the Postmark Square 40R Development has enabled the Town to receive a two-year safe harbor -/from 40B applications.. Mr. Tuttle asked if there have been any applications submitted for the open CPDC position. Ms. Mercier replied that she has not.heard of any. Minutes ,Minutes of August 14, 2017. The Commission members made a few edits. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the minutes of August 14, 2017 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weston and approved with a 3-0-0 vote Minutes of August 28, 2017 The Commisssion members made a few edits. Mr. Tuttle made a motion to approve the minutes of August 28,-2017 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weston and approved with a 3-0-0. vote Mr. Tuttle made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 PM. The .motion was seconded by Mr. Weston and approved.with a, 3-0-0 vote. Documents reviewed at the meeting: CPDC Agenda 9/25/17 CPDC Minutes 8/14/17 CPDC Minutes 8/28/17 Request for Continuance, Meadowbrook Golf Club 48-54 Franklin Street —'Barton Estates' Definitive Subdivision: a) Revised Plans b) Revised List of Waivers c) Hydrology Summary, d) Drainage Report & Hydrocad e) Plan showing Proposed Easement & Land Conveyance f) Letter from Residents g) Letter from Town Engineer h) Letter from Conservation Administrator i) Revised Draft Decision Page 1 3