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Home My WebLink About2002-09-05 Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes - Draft .. 010 DJC TOWN OF READING ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 5, 2002 MEMBERS PRESENT: JOHN JAREMA EDMUND BALBONI DONNA BOGGS SUSAN MILLER ROBERT REDFERN A meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room of the Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts at 7:00 PM. Town Engineer Joseph Delaney, and Town Counsel Joan Langsam were also in attendance. Case#02-05 A Continuance of a Public Hearing on the petition of Longwood Estates who seek a Comprehensive Permit for two hundred and eighty-eight(288) units of condominium housing of which 25% of the units will be made affordable housing per the Rules and Regulations for Comprehensive Permits in Reading. The applicant is Longwood Estates, LLS, represented by Latham, Latham & Lamond and Stockard & Engler& Brigham, Inc. on the property located at 468 West Street, Reading, MA. John Jarema stated this hearing is to hear about the issues relating to traffic. Town Planner Anne Krieg has resigned and Town Engineer Joseph Delaney will give an update on the pending issues. Joseph Delaney referred to a memo from Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (formerly HTSD), dated September 4, 2002, regarding their traffic peer review. He stated the pending issues are the sight distances, access to Enos Circle and mitigation. He asked what the plan for mitigation was. The three mitigation issues Joseph Delaney would like to see provided by the applicant are: 1. Patch the roadway, and then repave it with a top coat from curb to curb, after the water main is installed. 2. Install a traffic signal at the interchange of Summer Avenue, West Street and Willow Street. 3. Improve pedestrian access and repair the sidewalk along the westerly side of West Street. Michael Abend, Abend Associates, stated there is sight distance for cars travelling 40 MPH. The comer of Willow Street and Summer Avenue meets the corner site distance. If Enos Circle was used for all traffic, the roadway could handle it. Installing a sidewalk on West Street is a possibility. This project increases traffic at the comer of Summer Avenue, West Street, and Willow Street by five percent and he doesn't think they should be responsible for installing a traffic light. Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of 9/5/02 page Arty. Brad Latham requested a dollar value assigned to the three requests for the pro forma. In response to the use of Inwood Avenue, he stated, it is a private way in the Town of Woburn and we can not gain access for residential use. Edward Shatts, Cherry Street,Reading, MA, stated Wes[ treet will never be able to handle the traffic. The visibility coming out of ence Farm s hard to see with the curve in the road. Mr. Abend responded that this study only addresses this project's impact. John Jarema requested the dates that the 48 hour traffic study was performed. Mr. Abend stated the traffic study was performed in August. Traffic is higher in the summer months. John Jarema asked Christer Ericsson, Greenman-Pedersen, Inc, if additional information was needed. Mr. Ericsson believes they have all the necessary information. Edmund Balboni asked if the intersection needs a traffic signal with the traffic we have now?Joseph Delaney responded that the comer met two "warrants of need" for a signal now. There is an impact on that corner by this project, the question is to what degree. Joanne Metzger, 12 County Road, Reading, MA, stated during a previous meeting, it was reported that the traffic study was performed on a Wednesday, which is an early release day from school. Mr. Abend stated the net impact would be the same. Ms. Metzger asked if the traffic study calculation of a 5%increase included the proposed Inwood Park development? Since the Inwood Park Development may not take place, it may change the calculation. Mr. Abend stated the Inwood Park development would increase the traffic by 80%. Edmund Balboni asked what the difference would be excluding Inwood Park. Mr. Abend stated traffic would increase 8%. Bill Upham, 36 Enos Circle,Reading, MA, stated if you eliminate Inwood Park this project would increase traffic 20%. Mr. Abend stated it would increase traffic about 15%. Jim O'Rourke, South Street, Reading,MA, asked what the design capacity for west Street is?Joseph Delaney stated the capacity for West Street is 2,000 vehicles per hour travelling at 45 MPH. Mr. Abend stated the morning volume travelling southerly is 700 cars per hour. West Street has the capacity. It is the comers that are the issue. On a motion by Edmund Balboni, seconded by Susan Miller, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to continue the public hearing on Longwood Estates, LLS, represented by Latham, Latham & Lamond and Stockard & Engler&Brigham, Inc. on the property located at 468 West Street, Reading, MA, until September 19, 2002. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. 4W Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of 9/5/02 page Susan Miller stated since the abutters did not receive a copy of this evenings traffic report she would like to hear additional response from the neighbors at that hearing. Case#02-24 A Continuance of a Public Hearing on the petition of Archstone-Smith Operating Trust who seeks a Comprehensive Permit under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40B to place a two hundred and thirty-two (232) unit apartment community on the property located 40-42 & 70 West Street, Reading, MA. 8:55 PM The Zoning Board of Appeals recessed for a short break. 9:05 PM The Zoning Board of Appeals resumed their meeting. Robert Michaud, Meridian Engineering, stated the traffic information has been updated and a new study was performed in August 2002. He estimated the impact of this project to be 100 cars exiting and 19 entering per hour in the morning and 100 cars entering and 48 exiting per hour in the evening. This is a total of 1,524 vehicle trips per day. Additional projects, and the estimated increase in vehicle trips per hour, included in this study were: Johnson Woods 50—60 vehicles Inwood Project 305 vehicles 100 West Street Office 25 vehicles 114 west Street Office 20 vehicles Total increase per hour 400 vehicle trips Mr. Michaud stated it is difficult to take a left tum on West Street during peak hours. South Street is a good candidate for a traffic signal, independent of this project The applicant has committed to installing the traffic signal. Edmund Balboni asked if the traffic signal would cause delays further down on West Street?Mr. Michaud replied the lights would create gaps in the traffic for cars coming onto West Street, but will cause delays for cars currently on West Street. Christer Ericsson, Greenman-Pedersen,Inc, stated Meridian Engineering covered a lot of issues with their organized and thorough presentation. He requested the data on the volume and capacity and the actual queue lengths. John Jarema requested the peer review presentation and a cursory overview of the pro forma at the September 26, 2002 meeting. On a motion by Donna Boggs, seconded by Susan Miller,the Zoning board of Appeals voted to continue the public hearing on petition of Archstone-Smith Operating Trust on the property located 40-42 & 70 West Street, Reading, MA, until September 26, 2002. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. 4 Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of 9/5/02 page 4 Old/New Business On a motion by Edmund Balboni, seconded by Robert Redfern, the Zoning board of Appeals voted to approve the minutes of their August 22, 2002 meeting, as amended. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. John Jarema stated Edith Netter, Massachusetts Housing Consultant for the Spence and Longwood farm projects, suggested a meeting with Joan Langsam, Peter Hechenbleikner, and Longwood Estates to review some of the concerns the Zoning Board may have. On a motion by Edmund Balboni, seconded by Donna Boggs, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to appointment one of their members to begin pre-negotiations with Longwood Estates and Archstone-Smith Operating Trust, and to report back in open meeting the results. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. On a motion by Edmund Balboni, seconded by Donna Boggs, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to appointment John Jarema as the member to attend the pre-negotiations with Longwood Estates and Archstone-Smith Operating Trust. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Edmund Balboni requested the Board of Assessors supply information on the multiple unit structures located in the Town. On a motion by Edmund Balboni, seconded by Donna Boggs, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to adjourn at 10:45 p.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Joy Mohr Recording Secretary