HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-06 Zoning Board of Appeals MinutesTown of Reading
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ZONING BOARD OF AikALS ' r;
Minutes of May 6, 2010
29110 JUR 1 b A 51
Members Present: Clark Petschek, Chairman
John Jarema
Jeffrey Perkins
Robert Redfern
Damase Caouette
Members Absent: John Miles
Peter Tedesco
A meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room of the
Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts, at 7:00 P.M. Also in attendance was Glen
Redmond, Commissioner of Buildings.
Case #10-02
A Public Hearing on the petition of CAC Foods, Inc. (Venetian Moon) who seeks a Variance /
Special Permit / and a finding by the Zoning Board of Appeals that the proposed
additions/alteration may be done upon the issuance of a Building Permit under Sections 5.1.2 &
6.3.11.2 of the Zoning By-laws in order to construct a deck, fencing and handicap lift and stair
house on the roof for use as an outdoor dining area on the property located at 680 Main Street in
Reading, MA. The structures will comply with zoning dimensional requirements; however the
pre-existing building is non-conforming with regards to rear yard setback and lot coverage
requirements.
Attorney Josh Latham submitted a letter requesting that this application be withdrawn without
prejudice.
On a motion by John Jarema, seconded by Robert Redfern, the Zoning Board of Appeals moved
to accept the withdrawal of the application without prejudice.
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0 (Petschek, Redfern, Jarema, Caouette,
Perkins).
Case # 10-01
A Public Hearing on the petition of Vadaione, Inc. who seeks a Variance/Special Permit under
Sections 5.1.2/6.3.11.2 of the Zoning By-laws in order to construct an addition and handicap
ramp on a non-conforming building on the property located at 244R Ash Street in Reading, MA.
The proposed addition is located 4.4' from the sideline and relief from parking is required.
May 6, 2010
Attorney Josh Latham represented the Applicant. Also present were Nancy Toomey, architect;
and Jack Sullivan, Engineer. Attorney Latham presented some photographs for the Board to
review. There is no legal frontage since the property is so far in the rear of the area behind the
Reading Municipal Light.Company. The Maganzini family has a commercial cutlery sharpening
business and bought the property last fall.
The property is located in an industrial district and needs extensive renovation, and there are also
parking issues. The cutlery business that is proposed to be operated on the property needs interior
and exterior loading areas for all seasons. Attorney Latham reviewed the proposed addition and
handicap ramp using the enlarged site plan he brought. He presented two letters of support from
abutters and the Chairman read them to the rest of the Board.
Attorney Latham presented support for the criteria necessary to receive a Variance as relating to
the property. The Applicant has appeared at a DRT meeting and the plans being presented were
in part a result of suggestions made at that meeting. The Applicant will also have to appear
before the Community Planning and Development Commission and the Conservation
Commission.
The Building Inspector said the entire industrial area is in tough shape and any improvements
would be a welcome addition. The Board members asked various questions about the proposal
that were answered by Attorney Latham, Mr. Sullivan and Ms. Toomey. Some members of the
Board questioned the adequacy of the arguments presented in support of the Variance request.
Ms. Toomey offered her opinion as to why a garage reconfiguration would. present a hardship
and how it would not be an insignificant or easy change.
There was considerable discussion regarding the Petitioner's contention as to the Town's plans
to take over some of the property, the information regarding this issue, and the use of this
information as a hardship as presented by Attorney Latham and Mr. Sullivan. Attorney Latham
said this case coming before the Town is what has revived the discussion of the taking of
property in this existing right-of-way to extend a roadway from the rear of the property. The
Building Inspector said he was at the DRT meeting and that is why the Applicant has presented
the proposal before the Board now. The Building Inspector said he first heard about the possible
land taking for the road expansion in this industrial district over ten years ago.
Attorney Latham asked for a continuance so that they can present additional information for the
Board. The case will be continued to May 20, 2010
On a motion by Damase Caouette, seconded by Jeffrey Perkins, the Zoning Board of Appeals
moved to continue the hearing to May 20, 2010.
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0 (Petschek, Redfern, Jarema, Caouette,
Perkins).
May 6, 2010 2
Minutes April 1, 2010
On a motion by Robert Redfern, seconded by Damase Caouette, the Zoning Board of Appeals
moved to accept the minutes.
The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0 (Petschek, Redfern, Caouette).
Adjournment
On a motion by Jeffrey Perkins, seconded by John Jarema, the Zoning Board of Appeals moved
to adjourn the meeting.
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0 (Petschek, Redfern, Jarema, Caouette,
Perkins).
1,Z spectfully submitt ,
Maureen M. Kni t
- Recording Sec tary
May 6, 2010 3