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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-23 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutes - Executive SessionRECEIVED Town of Reading By Town Clerk GP of 12:32 pm, Feb 11, 2015 �! Meeting Minutes 4�'AIOPM Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Community Planning and Development Commission Date: 2023-03-23 Time: 7:30 PM Building: Town Hall Location: Hybrid Meeting - Zoom and Select Board Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Executive Session Purpose: Hybrid Meeting Version: Final Attendees: Members In person: Tony D'Arezzo; Pam Adrian; Mark Wetzel; Heather Clish Others Present in person: Community Development Director Andrew MacNichol; Senior Planner Mary Benedetto Remote Participants: Town Counsel Ivria Fried, Ethan Dlvely Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Mary Benedetto Topics of Discussion: MEETING HELD IN THE SELECT BOARD ROOM AND REMOTELY VIA ZOOM Ms. Clish called the meeting to order at 7:31 PM. Executive Session With respect to GC Fodera Contracting. Inc. v. CPDC (459 Main St litigation) Mr. Dively stated the new conceptual plans have been designed and submitted. The project has been revised and reduced to a 3 -story building with 10 residential units. Structural changes include reducing the garage to nearly half of Its originally proposed design; the new setback to the garage will be about 35-R from the eastern property line. The basement has been removed and thus utility room relocated to the first Floor. Mr. Dively stated that an updated shadow study has been submitted for the new building. Ms. Clish stated that shadows do appear to be less impactful to residential abutters of the project. She continued that the facade materials and design have changed quite substantially and questioned if they are finalized. Mr. Dively stated that this is a very preliminary concept, but the Applicant sought to match the abutting 475 Main Street building more. Ms. Fried stated that the CPDC can advocate for certain design features. Mr. MacNichol noted that the amount of parking provided did comply with the bylaw requirements, even if the commercial space is a future office use. 15 parking spaces are required at maximum and 18 have been provided on-site. He continued that some aspects of the facade appeared to be Flatter than the previous design and would like to ensure that the building meets the design guidelines. Ms. Clish agreed and found more detail could be provided, especially along the Main Street fagade. Ms. Adrian asked that more elements of the previous design be incorporated into the revised plans despite the story reduction. Mr. MacNichol asked if any geometric design or hard infrastructure was reviewed for the Washington Street exit. Ms. Fried stated that it was asked for but the Applicant found it to be impractical to incorporate. The Town Engineering division can review and respond if desired. Ms. Clish asked for their review and asked what next steps are necessary for this rxea�. c Town of Reading r Meeting Minutes item. Ms. Fried stated that they will ask the Applicant to put in writing why the design Is not practical and will provide such to the Engineering and Police Department. Mr. Dively stated that the Affordable Unit(s) sought have not been included in the project as the Applicant stated they cannot work financially. The Applicant submitted a draft Construction Management Plan and found that they could work within and comply with 2 - hour time limits for lane closures given that the revised design will support less deliveries and more storage on site. Mr. Wetzel opined that the Construction Management Plan (CMP) is not enforceable enough and language within should be more obligatory (such as changing'may'to'will'). He noted that construction vehicles are likely going to need to turn left Into the site at times and potentially left out of the site as well. Mr. D'Arezzo stated that this must be avoided at peak traffic hours. Ms. Clish asked if a 3 -hour limit would be more practical but asked If the CPDC could prohibit lane closures from 7:00-9:30AM and 3:00-6:OOPM. Mr. D'Arezzo added that Police Details must be required for any lane closure If not already. Ms. Fried stated that a violation of the CMP could be considered a violation of the permit itself and thus enforceable. Mr. Dively continued that the Applicant stated that they are willing to contribute a $25,000 payment for any pedestrian improvements within the public right of way beyond what Is proposed, and not the full $50,000 requested. Ms. Clish stated that $25,000 may not support needs that could be Identified such as bollards. Mr. Wetzel stated that additional bump -outs of sidewalks and full intersection improvements need to be identified. He questioned if this funding could support any type of Complete Streets grant for the intersection. Ms. Clish found that a study and design could take a long time. Mr. D'Arezzo asked if there is an agreement between CPDC and the Applicant what is the public hearing process. Mr. Dively stated that the Applicant would submit a new application and hope for approval; though approval is not required. Another option would be to file a remand with the court to re -open the previous application and go before CPDC. Regardless a timeline is expected and clear requests must be made. Mr. Dively reiterated that a settlement Is not binding on a vote to approve. Mr. D'Arezzo questioned if a condition can be placed requiring the construction to be done within a certain time frame. There is concern that construction may impact a Main Street travel lane for an extended period of time. Ms. Fried stated that she would need to look more into such. Ms. Clish asked If a condition of a 21E plan to be required is practical given the pre-existing use of the site. Ms. Fried stated that all DEP requirements will be necessary with or without a CPDC condition. Ms. Adrian asked for a separate landscape plan as well as a safety and traffic plan. Ms. Fried reminded the CPDC that the Construction Management Plan is not something that CPDC officially approves or conditions. Mr. Dively stated that If CMP conditions are desired that they should be high-level In nature. Ms. Fried stated that she will relay the comments provided tonight to the Applicant. Additional staff review and comment will also be coordinated. She stated that an update within 3 -weeks may be practical. Mr. Dively added that the filing to extend was granted and placed in mid-June. 0r Town of Reading � ; Meeting Minutes , Mr. D'Arezzo made a motion to exit executive session. Mr. Wetzel seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.