HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-18 Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes*Or,�Town of Reading TZEGEIVED
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2023 OCT 19 AM II: 59,
Zoning Board of Appeals
Date: 2022-10-18 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session:
Purpose: Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Cynde Hartman, Cy Caouette, Andrew Grasberger, Patrick Houghton and
Ryan Borque
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Senior Planner Andrew MacNichol, Building Commissioner Bret Bennett,
Kevin Emery, David Traniello, Kim Ashton, Jim Quigley, Renne Burke, Ann
Hooker, Chary Rowen, Alberto Pierobow, Candace Quigley
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Amanda Beatrice
Topics of Discussion:
Mr. Cy Caouette called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
Case s22-14-48-54 Village Street
Mr. David Traniel lo, representing Mr. Kevin Emery from 48-54 Village Street LLC, briefly gave a
description of their project. The current home is non -conforming and currently being used as a pre-
existing four family home in the S-15 district. He was looking to rebuild within the existing home
footprint, which would remove the existing encroachment setbacks, and to continue the use as a 4 -
family home. Their plan would be to turn the four units into home ownership rather than rental units.
Mr. David Traniello also mentioned that they would also have to go before CPDC for site plan review.
Mr. Patrick Houghton asked what the neighbors have thought about the project. Mr. Kevin Emery stated
that he had walked around the previous weeks and left some letters for people to contact him if they
had any questions. He also noted that his engineer was around fora while and some neighbors had
asked him a few questions.
Ms. Cynde Hartman asked how the characteristics of the building would change. Mr. Kevin Emery stated
that the original roof is an apex roof and the new roof will be a flat roof, with bays in the front with
balconies, and new siding in place of the existing vinyl. He also noted that each unit would have two
parking spots.
Mr. Cy Caouette asked if there would be any new non -conformities with the new building. The applicant
stated there would not be any new non -conformities and that the new building would actually remove
the current non -conformities.
Mr. Cy Caouette opened the meeting up to public comment.
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Mr. Jim Quigley from 102 Village Street asked to seethe side view of the drawing and asked how long it
would take to build. Mr. Kevin Emery stated about six to eight months once the foundation is started.
Ms. Kim Ashton asked when the demolition would be. Mr. David Traniello stated there was a 20 -day
appeal process that they would need to complete for the final decision before moving onto the next
board, and another 20 -appeal period for that board. Mr. Kevin Emery stated he would like to do it as
quickly as he could.
Ms. Renee Burk from 64 Village Street asked if there was asbestos and how they would handle the
demolition. Mr. Kevin Emery stated that part of the demolition permit is the asbestos abatement. The
lab would do tests throughout the home and if there is asbestos they would file with DEP and follow
their procedure.
Ms. Ann Hooker from 87 Village Street asked who is responsible for repairing the sidewalks and roadway
after the project. Mr. Kevin Emery stated that the developer is responsible for any damages to the
sidewalk caused by the project and Engineering makes sure that it gets closed up. Ms. Ann Hooker also
asked if the parking was piggybacked. Mr. Kevin Emery stated it would be the same as before. Ms. Ann
Hooker also stated that there will be four cars parked on Village Street. Mr. Cy Caouette asked how
many cars the neighbors were experiencing now. One neighbor stated hardly any and another stated
that the cars can only park on one side, but she has had people block her front driveway often.
Mr. Kevin Emery stated that if there are any issues, give him a call and he will do what he can to help.
Ms. Renee Burk from 64 Village Street asked if the balconies were decoration. Mr. Kevin Emery stated
that they were just decoration.
Mr. Cy Caouette closed the public comment.
Ms. Cynde Hartman asked why they are tearing the property down rather than renovating the existing.
Mr. Kevin Emery stated the design, the existing home is run down and if they were to do any
construction they would need to go for a special permit anyway. Overall it makes the project a lot
cleaner.
Mr. Cy Caouette reopened the public comment
Ms. Chery Rowen from 71 Village street asked if there was any way to stop a four unit. Mr. Cy Caouette
stated he did not believe so because it is currently legal.
Ms. Cynde Hartman stated that she thinks the change in roofline will make it feel significantly bigger
than the existing, in a neighborhood that already feels cramped, which is what she is struggling with. Mr.
David Traniello stated that the overriding sentiment is that the work would be a major improvement.
The front yard setbacks are going from 13 feet to 22 feet which is a significant improvement to the
encroachment issues.
Mr. Cy Caouette stated he believed that this project is by the book according to the bylaw.
Mr. Patrick Houghton made a motion to grant a Special Permit for Case #22-14— 48-54 Village Street.
Mr. Andrew Grasberger seconded the motion and it was approved 40.1.
Vote was 4-0-1 (Houghton, Coouette, Grosberger, Borque; Hartman [opposed])
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Mr. Patrick Houghton left the meeting before the review of the minutes
ZBA Minutes 1/16/22
Ms. Cynde Hartman made a motion to approve the 1/16/22 meeting minutes as amended. Mr
Andrew Grasberger seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.
Vote was 4-0-0 (Hartman, Grasberger, Caouette, Borque)
Board Re -organization
Mr. Andrew MacNichol and the Board had a brief conversation about scheduling future dates,
nominating for a new Chairman and the housing production plan form.
Mr. Andrew Grasberger made a motion to nominate Ms. Cynde Harman as Chair. Mr. Ryan Borque
seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.
Vote was 4-0-0 (Hartman, Grasberger, Caouette, Borque)
Ms. Cynde Hartman made a motion to nominate Mr. Andrew Grasberger as Vice Chair. Mr. Ryan
Borque seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.
Vote was 4-0-0 (Hartman, Grasberger, Caouette, Borque)
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