No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-04 Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes Town of Reading rt 1= l C I V E EJ Meeting Minutes O N CLERK z F U P, aul 4�IKOP V Oti, —3 SSM 10: I G Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Zoning Board of Appeals Date: 2020-03-04 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Location: Great Room Address: 49 Pleasant Street Session: Purpose: Public Hearing Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Robert Redfern Cy Caouette Erik Hagstrom Nick Pernice Hillary Mateev Jamie Maughan Members - Not Present: Others Present: Andrew MacNichol - Staff Planner, Mark Dupell - Building Comissioner, Ed Spinney, Tony D'Arezzo, Bill Nolan, Noeline Morrissey, Elizabeth Marco Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Amanda Beatrice Topics of Discussion: 374 Main Street—Case#19-27—Continuance Mr. Caouette opened the continued public hearing for 374 Main Street. Mr. Ed Spinney, sign developer, stated he would like to withdraw the application for the proposed wall sign and would like to re-discuss the proposed electronic sign. Mr. Spinney stated he believed that it would be a great addition to the area and that everything was addressed thoroughly but would be happy to address any additional questions. Mr. Caouette asked the Board is they had and questions or comments. Mr. Pernice stated he did not have an issue with it and that the sign would be brought up to modern standards. Mr. Redfern stated that he did not see the justification for a variance for the electronic sign. Mr. Hagstrom agreed with Mr. Redfern. Ms. Mateev also agreed with Mr. Redfern. Page I 1 Mr. Maughan explained that he was one of the members who was there when the bylaw was created and what they had in mind. He also stated that this area was one of the most dangerous intersections of the Town and if they were to grant this variance, it would put more pressure to grant future ones. Mr. Caouette stated that although he does not disagree with the electronic signs,the bylaws do not allow it and that the variance criteria are not justified. Mr. Caouette opened public comment and swore in audience members wishing to speak. Mr.Tony D'Arezzo of John Street agreed with the Board that the application did not meet the variance criteria. Mr. Pernice stated that he believed that this case had merit and that all they are doing is modernizing the current sign, and he personally did not see the sign as any more distracting than what they currently have. He also stated there are a ton of backlight signs when you drive down Main Street. Mr. Caouette closed the public comment portion of the hearing. Mr. Caouette then went over the options of going to a vote or withdrawing the application. Mr.Spinney requested to withdraw the entire application without prejudice On a motion made by Mr. Redfern, seconded by Mr. Hagstrom,the Zoning Board of Appeals moved to grant a Withdrawal without Prejudice in regards to the Variance Application for Case#19-27,374 Main Street. Vote was 5-0-0(Hagstrom, Caouette, Pernice, Redfern, Mateev( 264 High Street-Case#20-1 Mr. Caouette read the legal notice into record. Mr. Bill Nolan, project architect,gave a brief description of the home, project details and explained that the home owner is looking for accessory apartment so her sister with ALS could live with her. Mr. Maughan stated that he believed that the current plans made sense and would look nice. Mr. Nolan stated that he had two supporting letters from abutters that he wanted to submit to the Board. Ms. Mateev stated that she did not see this project as detrimental to the neighborhood. Mr. Hagstrom stated he thought it was a great project. He also asked if the board approved the plans would the applicant have any issues with the minor gable change. Mr. Dupell stated he did not believe it would be an issue and it could be added into the decision. Mr. Redfern did not believe that there was any substantial detriment to the neighborhood. Page 1 2 Mr. Pernice stated he supports this project. Mr. Caouette stated that he did not have any issues with this project. Mr. Caouette opened the meeting to public comment. Elizabeth Marco from 265 High Street stated that she wholeheartedly supported her neighbors project and that she lives across the street. Noeline Morrissey,the homeowner stated that she appreciated the support of the Town board and also was in favor of the project. Mr. Caouette closed the public comment portion of the hearing. Mr. Caouette read the two supporting letters from the abutters.The letters were from Riley and Amanda Mckay at 268 High Street and Olivia Hecht from 258 High Street. On a motion made by Mr. Pernice, seconded by Mr. Redfern,the Zoning Board of Appeals moved to grant a Special Permit for Case#20-01. Vote was 5-0-0 (Hagstrom, Caouette, Pernice, Redfern, Mateev) Minutes: The Board Members decided to look at the following minutes at the next meeting. 12/4/2019 12/18/2019 Other Business: Mr. MacNichol briefly had a discussion with the Board about some Planning updates. Adjournment: On a motion made by Ms. Mateev, seconded by Mr. Hagstrom,the Zoning Board of Appeals moved to adjourn the meeting. Vote was 5-0-0(Caouette, Hagstrom, Pernice, Redfern, Mateev) Page 1 3