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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-09 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutes - Executive SessionRECEIVED + °" By Town CNM GP of /P:33 Pm, Feb 11, ](IPS 4'�'' Town of Reading a� .-tl Meeting Minutes � oxed. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Community Planning and Development Commission Date: 2023-01-09 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; Heather Clish; John Weston Others Present in person: Community Development Director Andrew MacNichol; Senior Planner Mary Benedetto Remote Participants: Town Counsel Ivria Fried, Ethan Dively 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 7:30 PM. Ms. Adrian made a motion that the CPDC enter Executive Session under Purpose 3 to discuss strategy with respect to GC Fodera Contracting, Inc. v. CPDC 459 Main Street litigation and to include Community Development Director Andrew MacNichol, Town Counsel Ivria Fried and Ethan Dively. Mr. D'Arezzo seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0-0. Executive Session With respect to GC Fodera Contracting. Inc. v. CPDC (459 Main St litigation) Mr. Dively stated that he attended the guidance session on how to proceed and confirmed that a standard process of an appeal schedule will proceed. There will be discussion on settlement offers that CPDC may or may not accept. If not accepted counsel will seek to defend the Decision in court. It is expected that as discussions continue a full submittal to the courts will be needed by March. Mr. Dively summarized that the Applicant is looking to propose a 10 -unit development. The building will be reduced from 4 -stories to 3 -stories and to convert all units to 2 -bedroom units resulting in a net loss of one bedroom. Traffic Flow was discussed but there remains limited opportunity to provide a structural infringement on left-hand turns out of the site. There are no plans for review but the expectation is such will be drafted In the coming weeks. Ms. Fried stated that no additional funds for improvements were proposed by the Applicant. There is still potential to ask for such as the discussions advance. Ms. Adrian stated that some concerns of the previous project design still remain given the site location. 4}��_Nk C "' Town of Reading y Meeting Minutes Mr. D'Arezzo opined that the proposal then and now does not require a lot of waivers, and the waivers being sought may be justified given context. The CPDC must determine what it is that can be Improved during this process. Mr. Weston stated that there is no question this site will be developed in some capacity and that a by -right fully commercial project is not necessarily less traffic generating. The problem Is the parcels limitations in and of itself, on top of what the market needs of today's world are. He questioned if the garage Itself could be lowered by another foot to further reduce massing. He agreed with Ms. Adrian that while the revised project addresses shadow impact and some site lines there is a lack of pedestrian improvements. He continued that the Applicant has stressed pedestrian access as a benefit to Smartgrowth development and as such they should seek Improvements for those users. He questioned if the Town can help design sidewalk Infrastructure that supports pedestrians and makes a left-hand vehicle tum out of the site awkward. Ms. Clish found the proposed height reduction to be a benefit to abutters. She acknowledged that the retail component Is still difficult to access and may not be viable. The parking for commercial use is not clear and more pedestrian mitigation is necessary to support access to such. She agreed that any change in material or design that makes left- hand vehicle movements out of the site difficult would be an additional benefit as signage alone Is not enough. Mr. Weston asked if conditioning the commercial space to office use Is viable and worth thinking about. Ms. Clish suggested there may be some negatives to restricting commercial use to think through. Ms. Fried stated that the parking count will remain as proposed. Ms. Clish stated excess parking on-site should be dedicated to guest use to not conflict with commercial needs. Mr. D'Arezzo asked if there was an update on Affordable Units being asked for. CPDC asked for 2- Affordable Units but he opined he would consider 1 -unit to meet a 10% need. Mr. MacNichol added that if some units cannot be SHI eligible the Applicant could review the potential for "workforce housing" units in lieu of such. Ms. Fried stated at this time the Applicant is not agreeing to provide Affordable Units. Mr. D'Arezzo stated the Applicant should seek to coordinate with the abutting lot across Washington Street for construction delivery, storage and/or other given their likely redevelopment. Mr. Weston agreed more logistics and specifics on such should be provided. Ms. Adrian asked about the administrative process and how these revisions get approved. Ms. Fried replied that a plan set would be developed and if the CPDC agrees it meets the requested needs it would proceed to a vote. Ms. Adrian asked how minutes are administered. Ms. Fried recommended not releasing minutes while the appeal is ongoing. The board may hold such In perpetuity or release at their discretion. Ms. Adrian made a motion to exit executive session. Mr. D'Arezzo seconded the motion and It was approved 4-0-0.