HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-06 Zoning Board of Appeals MinutesTown of Reading
Meeting Minutes -`fC
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
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Zoning Board of Appeals
Date: 2024-02-06 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session:
Purpose: Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Cy Caouette, Andrew Grasberger, Cynde Hartman, Chris Cridler
Members - Not Present:
Patrick Houghton
Others Present:
Eric Moore, Barbara Goodridge, Dan Allen
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Amanda Beatrice
Topics of Discussion:
ZBA Case #23-20 —19 James Road
Mr. Andrew Grasberger opened the meeting by reading the legal notice, and swearing in those who
wish to speak.
The home owner Mr. Eric Moore briefly explained the project was an addition of a master bedroom and
bathroom over the existing garage. He mentioned positive feedback from the nearest neighbor
regarding the project.
Mr. Cy Caouette stated that the only issue he sees is that the existing non -conformity on the left hand
was about 10.7 feet and the new addition was about 10.6 feet which creates a new nonconformity by
about a tenth of a foot, otherwise he has no issues with the project. His suggestion was to go over the
plans and see if they could remove the new non -conformity and continue to the next meeting.
The rest of the Board Member agreed with Mr. Cy Caouette
There were no public comments to be made.
Mr. Cy Caouette made a motion to continue Case #23-20 -19 James Road to the next meeting on
March 4, 2024. Mr. Chris Cridler seconded the motion and it was approved 4-M.
Vote was 4-0-0 (Grasberger, Caouette, Hartman, Cridler)
ZBA Case #24-01— 413 Main Street — McDonald's
Mr. Andrew Grasberger opened the meeting by reading the legal notice, and swearing in those who
wish to speak.
Mr. Dan Allen, who is the representative of MCDonalds briefly explained that they were back in front of
the ZBA because CPDC made a final decision they would need an additional Variance for the for the
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proposed Pull -Forward Drive-thru pickup window with an exiting lane length of 30.1 feet to the exit
driveway where 54 feet is required. The intent of the window was to help alleviate the stacking when
large orders request. This way employees can have that car move up to help the flow of the drive-thru
and eliminating the employees having to exit the building to deliver those orders. There is a large
underground culvert bisecting the site which limits the building orientation and layout.
Abutter Ms. Barbara Goodridge from Bolton Street asked Mr. Dan Allen if the new layout would cause
more traffic on Bolton Street. He did not believe it would significantly change traffic and they were
maintaining the exiting three driveways.
Mr. Chris Cridler asked if the additional window would be regularly attended or if it was to be used for
specific situations. Mr. Dan Allen explained that it was not going to be regularly attended and would be
used for high volume traffic and orders that require additional time to prepare.
Mr. Chris Cridler asked in terms of the floor plan if it would be in the area of the kitchen. Mr. Dan Allen
said yes.
Ms. Cynde Hartman asked if they had numbers regarding how cars needed to pull forward to wait for
their order. She also brought up that the third window was close to Main Street and depending on how
often they would need that window, did not necessarily see it as a hardship. She also noted other food
companies had employees spend a lot of time outside. Mr. Dan Allen did not have those numbers
available at that time, and noted that other companies have different business models and the window
was ideal for operation, slowing down the wait time for customers. Ms. Cynde Hartman also mentioned
a concern would be both cars leaving the pickup windows at the same time potentially causing an
accident.
Mr. Chris Cridler asked what the proposed distances from Main Street to the third window. Mr. Dan
Allen said about 30-31 feet.
The Board Members discussed the permanence of a Variance on the property, the possibility of
imposing conditions on the use of the third window, and the criteria for accessing that window in the
future, as well as enforcement measures.
The Board Members and Mr. Dan Allen were all in agreement to continue the hearing until the next
meeting.
Mr. Chris Cridler made a motion to continue Case #24-01- 413 Main Street to the next meeting on
March 4, 2024 Cy Caouette seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.
Vote was 4-0-0 (Grasberger, Caouette, Hartman, Cridler)
Minutes
The Board Members decided to postpone the review of the 1/2/24 minutes until the next meeting.
Mr. Cy Caouette made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Chris Cridler seconded the motion and it
was approved 4-0-0.
Vote was 4-0-0 (Grasberger, Caouette, Hartman, Cridler)
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