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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-11 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutes Town of Reading p Meeting Minutes ' . ,A. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Rk Community Planning and Development Commission [1: 21 Date: 2020-05-11 Time: 7:30 PM Building: Location: Remote Meeting - Zoom Address: Session: Purpose: Meeting Version: Attendees: Members: John Weston, Chair; Nick Safina, Heather Clish, Pamela Adrian, Rachel Hitch, Tony D'Arezzo-Associate Members - Not Present: Others Present: Community Development Director Julie Mercier, Staff Planner Andrew MacNichol, Matt Maggiore, Jacquie Maggiore, Andy Street, Kevin Greenwood, Pat Devine Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Andrew MacNichol Topics of Discussion: MEETING HELD REMOTELY VIA ZOOM John Weston called the meeting to order at 7:37 PM. Community Development Director Julie Mercier explained the protocols for tonight's meeting that is being held virtually for the first time. She presented the Zoom Meeting information to the public for those wishing to join by sharing on the screen. She explained the features of the Zoom program and how to provide comments for any given application. She added that RCN is broadcasting the meeting. Mr. Weston reviewed the agenda for the night and stated that each public hearing has been continued to a later date but there are a few items the Board can discuss and vote on. He added that the Board will discuss the Howard Street Plan Endorsement out of order and first. Master Sianacie Plan Application, 475 Main Street Pat Devine of Expose Signs Inc. was present on behalf of the application along with the property development team. Mr. Devine explained the intent for the Master Signage Plan and that the building is expecting up to two commercial occupants who will need signage, along with signage for the residential portion of the mixed-use building. Mr. Weston asked if the signs are to be illuminated. Mr. Devine replied there is external lighting for the signage and the letters are not individually lit. Mr. Weston asked where the light bar is located. Mr. Devine replied it is underneath the sign and atop the canopy of the building entry; the lighting will shine only upwards. Mr. Devine discussed the residential signage which included a QR code. He stated it is simply a vinyl applique that will be 1' high by 4' long, meeting zoning requirements. He continued that it would be applied to the masonry finish. 1 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Ms. Adrian opined that the fonts of the two signs ought to be the same due to the close proximity of the two. Mr. Devine agreed and stated he will resubmit as soon as tomorrow afternoon. Mr. D'Arezzo asked if the application document mirrored the rendering size proposed. Mr. MacNichol replied he did receive an updated application reflecting the correct and proposed information. Mr. MacNichol asked about the future tenant signage length which is not depicted. Mr. Safina opined it can be described as maximum square footage allowed by zoning. Mr. Maggiore agreed and that was the intent all along. Mr. Weston suggested that the future signage fit between the brick piers, the Applicant agreed. Mr. Devine also noted increasing the height to 23" to match the residential signage may be good; Mr. Weston agreed. All revised dimensions shall be submitted. Ms. Adrian asked if the Board could address the temporary signage currently placed on the building. Ms. Mercier informed the applicants that permits are needed for temporary signs and may be restricted to certain dimensions. Mr. Maggiore stated he will provide the information as soon as possible. Ms. Clish asked about the lighting temperature. Mr. Maggiore stated it is a very warm color which he prefers on all his buildings. Mr. Devine confirmed. Mr. Boghos stated they wanted warm lighting so as to not intrude on the residents of the building above. Mr. D'Arezzo asked if the lights were dark sky compliant and if the Board should restrict the angle to any degree. Mr. Safina stated shielding may be needed on the end of the bars and that if it is upwards it is not dark sky compliant. Mr. Maggiore stated the canopy is less than 1'wide so snow will not be an issue and the lighting would be linear. Mr. Devine confirmed they are closed from the horizontal perspective. Mr. D'Arezzo asked if the Rise475 sign will be on all night, while business signs are turned off at close of business. Mr. Maggiore stated the timing can be controlled. Mr. Safina stated the height of the sign would not reach the solider brick course above. Mr. Weston summarized that the length of the future tenant signage is still required and changes to the dimensions and font of the identification sign is needed before the Certificate of Appropriateness can be issued. Mr. MacNichol confirmed. Mr. Safina asked if the light bar is one or two bars wide. Mr. Devine stated it is single row and will be evenly distributed; if it is two units they would be adjacent to one another. Mr. Safina made a motion approve the Master Signage Plan Application for 475 Main Street as amended. The motion was seconded by Ms. Adrian and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Continued Public wearinn Site Plan Review 307 Main Street Meisner Orem Corporation Mr. Weston announced the continuation of the public hearing for the Site Plan Review at 107 Main Street to June 8, 2020 at 7:30 PM. Continued Public Hearina, Site Plan Review 359-267 Main Street, Stonepate Construction Corporation Mr. Weston announced the continuation of the public hearing for 259-267 Main Street to June 8, 2020 at 7:45 PM. 2 Town of Reading r Meeting Minutes Continued Public Hearing Minor Amend to Approved PUD-R Johnson Woods Drive Johnson Woods Realty Coro Mr. Weston announced the continuation of the public hearing for the Minor Amendment to the Approved PUD-R at Johnson Woods to June 8, 2020 at 8:00 PM. Continued Public Hearing Site Plan Review 259-262 Main Street, CRE Ventures LLC Mr. Weston announced the continuation of the public hearing for Site Plan Review at 258-262 Main Street to June 8, 2020 at 8:15 PM. Planning Updates and Other Topics_ 135-149R Howard St Definitive Subdivision Plan Endorsement Andy Street, project engineer, was present on behalf of the application along with owner Kevin Greenwood. Mr. Weston took the item out of order. Ms. Mercier stated that in March the CPDC approved the Definitive Subdivision for the Applicants and that the Applicants are now looking for CPDC plan endorsement to move forward with the project's construction. Ms. Mercier added that three members must vote in favor to approve and sign the mylar plans. She continued that the plans can be signed by mail distribution to one board member at a time. Mr. Street was happy to move forward with such a process. Ms. Weston clarified what endorsing the plans meant. He asked the Applicant if any changes were made to the plan set. Mr. Street replied that there were a few grading changes required by Conservation and that some retaining walls were removed from the project. The 'No Parking' Signage was also added along the proposed roadway. Ms. Hitch made a motion to endorse the Howard Street Definitive Subdivision Plans. The motion was seconded by Ms. Adrian and approved with a 3-0-0 vote. Approval of CPDC Minutes of 2/13/20 and 3/9/20 The minutes were not discussed at tonight's meeting. Public Hearing's Discussion Ms. Mercier asked the Board how they would like to move forward with the public hearings that have been continued from tonight. She added that meeting online is likely in the future if desired but it is not required as the Chair can continue any public hearings. Ms. Mercier stated balancing is needed for public involvement but also allowing development to move forward in Town. Mr. Weston opined that if public participation is limited then public hearings should not be discussed as they are the ones most impacted. He opined this type of forum is not robust enough for such applications. He added that any work that can be done should be done. 3 Town of Reading X Meeting Minutes Ms. Clish added she has participated as a public member and felt it went very well even with a large number of people. She opined it is difficult to manage all features of the Zoom program and do the regular duties needed. She continued that if things are not going well than no vote would proceed. Mr. Weston agreed that managing Zoom and getting all comments can be quite difficult. Ms. Adrian asked if there is a maximum of people allowed in the Zoom Meeting. Ms. Mercier replied that 300 people are allowed in the Zoom meeting. Ms. Hitch asked if we should keep agendas shorter when possible and multiple public hearings should not be discussed at the same time. She continued that when in- person hearings are allowed they could handle more. Ms. Mercier stated she is in contact with the Applicants and is aware of their status to try to manage going forward. Ms. Mercier also stated that a plan is being drafted regarding reopening and public meetings. She added that re-notification would be key for any items known to be discussed. ediournment Ms. Ciish made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 PM. The motion was seconded by Ms. Hitch and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. rwcumen5 revewed at the maminn; • pefinitive Suddivision Plans for 135, 137 and 149R Ibward Street • 475 Main Street Sign APPlicabon Package, PNure Tenant Signage and Draft Cerdficate of Appropriateness 4