HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-19 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTown of Reading -
16 Lowell Street TOWN C L E I-
Reading, MA 01867-2683 READING, MASS.
Phone: 781-942-6612
Fax: 781-942-9071 j A L
Email: jdelios@ci.reading.ma.us 2010 JAN 21 A~ O b
Community Planning and Development Commission
CPDC MINUTES
Meeting Dated: October 19, 2009
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Location: Selectmen's eeting Room, Town Hall F ' Ti e: 7:30 PM
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Members Present: Nich las Safina (NS~ChairmanJohn Weston (JW), Secre ry, Clair Paradiso
(CP), and David Tuttle T) ,
Members Absent: Joseph Patterson (JP)
Also Present: Jean Delios (JD), Town Planner; Abigail McCabe (AM), Staff Planner; and Michael
Schloth (MS), Recording Secretary.
Mr. Max Gabriello, Owner of Perfectos Caffe
Attorney Brad Latham of Latham, Latham & Lamond, P.C., 643 Main Street
Mr. Don Reed, Barlow Signs, 158 Greeley Street, Hudson, NH
Attorney Christine Sheehy, Johnson & Borenstein, LLC; 12 Chestnut Ave., Andover, MA
Mr. Ron Weston, 63 Blueberry Lane
There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.
Public Comments
None.
Public Hearing for Site Plan Review (Continued):
285 Main Street, Perfectos Cafe
The details of the draft decision were reviewed and all parties agreed that the decision as drafted
would address all concerns of the board.
On a motion by DT, seconded by JW the board voted 3-0-1 to approve the site plan review decision
as drafted.
Approval Not Required (ANR)
26 County Road
Attorney Brad Latham appeared for the applicant. After some discussion about lot lines the board
moved on a motion by DT, seconded by NS, and voted 4-0-0 to approve the ANR request. The Board
signed two copies of the mylar plans.
Master Signage Plan
1349 Main Street, Santorelli Construction
Mr. Don Reed of Barlow Signs appeared for the applicant. After some discussion about signs being
the same color scheme and size, the board moved on a motion by JW, seconded by DT, and voted 4-
0-0 to approve the master signage plan as submitted.
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CPDC Minutes of 10/19/2009
Public Hearing: Zoning Amendment to Section 6.3.17
Article 15 on Warrant of Subsequent Town Meeting
The Chair opened the Public Hearing. JW read aloud the public notice. The proposed zoning change
was initiated by a homeowner concerned there wasn't now sufficient language under this section of
the by-law to allow the ZBA to consider the scale, and mass of projects with relation to neighboring
properties.
• The board felt that the by-law should be modified to change the wording in Paragraph B to
read: any reconstruction within a residential district. The Board suggested the possibility of
proposing this modification from the floor of town meeting or making the modification in the
future.
A concern was raised on how to apply this to a commercial district especially on a parcel that
abuts a residential district.
• There was discussion about how this entire section of the by-law needs work
The consensus of the Board was to approve the language of the zoning amendment as submitted.
The board moved on a motion by the Chair, seconded by CP, and voted 4-0-0 to recommend to Town
Meeting the language of the Zoning Amendment to Section 6.3.17 as submitted.
The Board moved on a motion by the Chair, seconded by JW, and voted 4-0-0 to close the public
hearing.
Bond Release (taken out of order on the agenda):
Benjamin Lane
The Staff Planner reminded the board that on 9/28 they voted to release the bond subject to GZ's
approval. Subsequently, Town Counsel recommended holding back $1,000 to defray cost of
preparing easement documents. The balance would be $4500 after holding back this amount.
The board moved on a motion by the Chair, seconded by DT, and voted 4-0-0 to approve the release
of $4500.00 of the bond
Updates to the 40R Downtown Smart Growth Zoning:
The Town Planner noted that the Department of Housing and Community Development's (DHCD)
Letter of Eligibility is forthcoming and that the DHCD noted that Reading's Downtown Smart
Growth District (DSGD) is considered approved. She added that the Board of Selectmen will meet to
act on this tomorrow night to move forward with a Special Town Meeting on November 30, 2009.
CPDC will hold a public hearing on the DSGD on November 2, 2009.
Discussion ensued about the DHCD's definition of multi-family housing as dwellings of four or more
residential units. The Board accepted the DHCD's definition and noted other housing options could
be added in the future.
Mixed-Use Overlay:
This will not be on the 11/30 Special Town Meeting warrant. There was a request to have a
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) map made showing parcels impacted, larger parcels (10,000
sf and above).
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CPDC Minutes of 10/19/2009
Need a rationale for coming in under this by-law. The Board noted the Table of Fees needs to tie to
the Boston Area Consumer Price Index. Also, same section, average size of unit of 800 sq ft needs
more flexibility. As drafted it is too restrictive.
Other Business
Minutes
DT moved to approve the minutes of 8/10/09 as amended. CP seconded. Voted Approved: 4-0-0.
NS moved to approve the minutes of 9/14/09 as presented. DT seconded. Voted Approved: 3-0-1 (CP
abstained)
ZBA Case Review
845 Main Street: After much discussion it was decided that the Chair would write a memo to the
ZBA noting its concern that expanding parking next to a residential area would constitute an
expansion of a non-conforming use.
7 King Street: The Staff Planner said she would get more information on this for the Board.
59 Middlesex Avenue: The Board had no comment on this matter.
After much discussion it was decided that the Chair would write a memo to the ZBA noting its
concern that expanding parking next to a residential area would constitute an expansion of a non-
conforming use.
The meeting adjourned at 9:55 PM.
These minutes were prepared by Jean Delios and submitted to the CPDC on December 14, 2009;
these minutes were approved by the CPDC on December 14, 2009.
Signed as
John eston, Secretary Da e
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