Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-16 Zoning Board of Appeals MinutesOWN CLE&- Town of Reading ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Minutes of October 16, 2008 Members present: Paul Dustin, Chairman Robert Redfern John Jarema Clark Petschek Jeffrey Perkins Peter Tedesco Members Absent: John Miles T OR WE:- CN IL--Cl VL E 0 K READING, MASS. „1000 OV 25 P 3. 2S 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. Case # 08-20 Continuation of a Public Hearing on the petition of Randall Kneeland & Susan Kneeland who seek a Variance/Special Permit under Section(s) 5.1.2 & 6.3.11.1 of the Zoning By-laws in order to construct an addition to the right hand side of an existing non-conforming dwelling on the property located at 68 Longwood Road in Reading, MA. The proposed addition encroaches in the front yard setback of 20'. Attorney Chris Latham submitted an email to the Board indicating that he intended to submit a formal request to continue the application to November 6, 2008. The Board discussed whether to continue the case to November 6, 2008 or to extend the continuation to December 4, 2008 since Attorney Latham had not submitted a formal request for the continuation. This case had been continued on two previous occasions upon the request of the petitioner. On a motion by John Jarema, seconded by Clark Petschek, the Zoning Board of Appeals moved to continue the hearing to December 4, 2008. The Chairman requested that the Town send a formal letter to Attorney Latham requesting a formal letter from him for the continuation to December 4, 2008. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0 (Dustin, Redfern, Petschek, Jarema, Tedesco) ZBA Meeting, October 16, 2008 Case # 08-23 A Public Hearing on the petition of Metro PCS, Massachusetts LLC who seeks a Special Permit under Section(s) 4.3.5 of the Zoning By-laws in order to allow the installation of six panel antennas on the fagade of the existing smokestack on the property located at 1 General Way in Reading, MA. All associated cabling will be housed in a cable tray which will be painted to match the existing fagade of the existing smokestack. Kristen LeDuc and Brian Eisen represented Metro PCS. Ms. LeDuc presented the arguments in support of the application for a Special Permit. The Chairman read the letter presented by Ms. LeDuc in the package she had presented to the Board. He asked if this was similar to the Summit Tower cell installation and she said it was. Mr. Tedesco said there should be a letter in the file with authorization from the owners of the tower and Ms. LeDuc said it would be delivered within a few days. The Board discussed including in any Board decision provisions ensuring that the proposed equipment would be removed in case the installation was abandoned at some time in the future. The Board also requested authorization from Metro PCS that they authorized Ms. LeDuc to act as its agent. Mr. Jarema also requested some information about the structure integrity and analysis and also the Building Inspector's opinion. Mr. Tedesco also requested the contact information for Metro PCS's contact people. Mr. Petschek requested a copy of the lease. Mr. Eisen presented the frequency information and explained the coverage that would be available. Ms. LeDuc filled out a request forms to ask for a continuation to December 4, 2008. On a motion by Robert Redfern, seconded by John Jarema, the Zoning Board of Appeals moved to continue the hearing to December 4, 2008. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0 (Dustin, Redfern, Petschek, Jarema, Tedesco) Other Business The Chairman questioned what the protocol was for ZBA applications. He thought too many applications coming before the Board were incomplete. The Board thought this was why there were so many continuances. The Chairman questioned six cases being scheduled for the November 6, 2008 hearing. He also questioned why the Board did not get the necessary review of the documentation package. The Chairman also said he will set up a meeting with the Town Manager and the Town Planner to request additional technical help for the Board. Mr. Tedesco proposed a checklist that would list what information the Board wants as a minimum although there is a checklist already attached to the ZBA Application. He also thought the Town Planner should review all ZBA applications before they come before the Board. Mr. Jarema thought the 2 ZBA Meeting, October 16, 2008 applications are becoming more technical and need more scrutiny. Mr. Tedesco also said some people coming in for variances are totally unprepared to present their criteria and are often surprised and unaware of this requirement. The Chairman agreed that people were not aware of what was required of them. Mr. Petschek said the application needs to be more understandable. The Chairman said there was no Town Hall representation at the meetings. The Chairman also said Town Counsel can attend meetings if necessary and she is also available for phone consultations by the Board members. Mr. Petschek said there should either be the Building Inspector or the Assistant Building Inspector at each meeting. Mr. Jarema said the absence of the Building Inspector at meetings has caused some of the continuances. Mr. Tedesco said maybe the Town Manager could get state funds to put together a booklet that explains the zoning process even though this is already part of the ZBA application. The Chairman and Mr. Tedesco will set up a meeting with the Town Planner to review their thoughts and those of other members of the Board as to how to improve the Zoning Board. On a motion by John Jarema, seconded by Clark Petschek, the Zoning Board of Appeals moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-0 (Dustin, Redfern, Petschek, Jarema, Tedesco, Perkins). Respectfully su Maureen M. Recording S 3 ZBA Meeting, October 16, 2008