HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-06-22 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTown of Reading RECEIVED
TOWN
CLERK
16 Lowell Street READING,
A SS.
Reading, MA 01867-2683
Rix: Phone: <12 ZOlO JAN 21 A ~ 0 S
Fax:
17mail: ckowalski•.Oki.readine.ma.Lis
Community Planning and Development Commission
CPDC MINUTES
Meeting Dated: June 2, 2009
Location: Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Hall Time: 7:30 PM
Members Present: David Tut, e (DT„),.Chairinan ;...~icholas Safina,(.NS), Secretary; John Weston
(JW), Joseph Patterson (JP), d Clair Paradiso (CP)
Associate Members Present: George Katsoufis (GK)
Also Present: Carol Kowalski (CK), Town Planner; Abigail McCabe (AM), Staff Planner; and
Michael Schloth, Recording Secretary.
Attorney Brad. Latham of Latham, Latham & Lamond, P.C., 643 Main Street
Mr. Anthony Tambone
Mr. Alberto Jarquin, Bohler Engineering, 352 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA
Mr. Jim Sopchak; 364 Franklin Street
Mr. Ron Weston, 63 Blueberry Lane
Mr. Scott DeLuca, 358 Franklin Street
There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.
Public Comments
Attorney Brad Latham and property owner Anthony Tambone presented concept plans for an office
development at 80-100 Main Street. The Board had previously approved a site plan for a retail
development there but it was never built. Mr. Tambone said the market for retail properties had
collapsed and he expects the market for office properties to improve before retail. The new plans call
for a four-story office building. Access would be from Main Street only. Mr. Tambone was not sure
when he would be ready to submit formally a site plan for the Board's review. DT and JW urged Mr.
Tambone to seek a cafe or sandwich shop tenant on the first floor to reduce the noontime car trips
attendant with an office use.
The CPDC considered a request presented by the Town Planner on behalf of Oaktree Development
for a letter expressing the Board's support of Oaktree's application for affordable housing subsidies
for its redevelopment plans of the site formerly occupied by the Atlantic grocery store. The
discussion was tabled to later in the meeting
Signage Certificate of Appropriateness, TD Bank, 470 Main Street
Alberto Jarquin of Bohler Engineering presented a Signage plan for the site. CPDC voted 5:0:0 to
grant the Signage Certificate of Appropriateness for the plans presented.. The Chair stamped and
signed two sets of the plans. One set was given to Mr. Jarquin.
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CPDC Minutes of 6/22/2009
Zoning amendment section 6.3.17
Reading residents Jim Sopchak, Ron Weston, and Scott DeLuca presented a case for changes to the
language of zoning bylaw subsections 6.3.11 and 6.3.17 which they maintain have been used by at
least one developer to legally circumvent the intent and spirit of section 6.3. NONCONFORMING
USES, STRUCTURES AND LOTS. In particular, that the development of a site should decrease or
at least not increase nonconformity; and there should be no adverse impacts on the neighboring
properties.
The CPDC agreed to continue to review the bylaws but took no formal action.
Downtown Smart Growth District
The CPDC set a date of July 13, 2009 for the public hearing on the Smart Growth Bylaw. Further
revisions were made to the draft bylaw. NS and GK said. they would continue to work on preparing
the draft of the design guidelines.
Other Business
Minutes
The Board voted 3:0:2 to approve the minutes of February 23, 2009 as amended. CP and JW
abstained.
The Board voted 5:0:0 to approve the minutes of February 23, 2009 as amended.
The Board voted 4:0:1 to approve the minutes of February 23, 2009 as amended. JP abstained.
Board Organization
The CPDC voted 4:0:1 to elect Nick Safina as Chair, and 4:0:1 to elect John Weston as Secretary.
Mr. Safina and Mr. Weston respectively abstained.
Letter of support, Oaktree Development LLC
The CPDC voted 5:0:0 to approve the submission of a letter from the Board in support of Oaktree's
housing subsidy application. DT said he will draft the letter.
The meeting adjourned at 11:15 PM.
These minutes were prepared. by Michael Schloth and, submitted to the CPDC on July 27, 2009; these
minutes were approved as amended by the CPDC on July 27, 2009.
Signed as approved,
John'Weston, Secretary
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