HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-10-14 Zoning Board of Appeals MinutesTown of Reading
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Minutes of October 14, 2004
Members Present: Robert Redfern
John Jarema
Michael Conway
Paul Dustin ~T
Susan Miller',
Members Absent: Mark Gillis
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A meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Roorn-of the
Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts at 7:00 P.M. Also in attendant was Chris
Reilly, Town Planner.
Case #02-24
A Public Hearing on the petition of Archstone-Smith who seek a substantial modification to a
Chapter 40B Permit previously issued for the property located at 40-70 West Street.
Brian Blazer said Archstone wants to change to the Mass Development Program for long-term
construction loans for financing of their project. They require that 50% of the median income be
used for the affordable units as opposed to the New England Fund that requires that 80% of the
median income be used. There would be a change in the number of affordable units from 51 to
41 units.
The Town Planner presented letters from Town Counsel who said this would be a better program
and would offer needed lower income housing for the Town. The Town Manager also supported
this new modification. The Town Planner said this modification should be approved because the
deeper affordability would be an asset to the Town. He read the proposed adjusted rental rate
comparison that would be determined at the 80% and 50% levels.
The Board discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the different programs and Robert
Engler explained that both programs were state-approved programs. There is a need for housing
for people in the 50% median range. The Town would be getting 10 less units but would be
better serving those in the 50% median income range.
John Jarema said that in the working session it was determined this modification would be a
better financial deal for Archstone Smith. He wanted to know how the Town could better serve
the people in this 50% range.
Engler said this proposal would only help Archstone with long term financing. He said 70% is
- the limit under the program for local preference. You have to advertise outside and you cannot
amend this to 80% local preference.
Blazer said it does not help at all with the cash flow.
Chris Reilly said the change in tenants that might occur would be minimal because of the
Reading preference. The Town is willing to sacrifice the ten units to serve the greater good.
Brian Leahy of Louanis Drive said he received the notice about the change between affordable
units and market units and he wondered if the Town had reached the required 10% affordable
units.
Chris said the Town was at 6.7% of the required 10%. The Town is already built up and there is
a lot of conservation land. He did not anticipate many more large developments. The emphasis in
Reading is on the quality of the development and each individual site will'be looked at carefully.
This development is a quality development and it is a priority project for Archstone.
The Board went over the proposed modification. The Town Planner said Joan Langsam, the
Town Manager and he had no changes for the draft decision.
On a motion by John Jarema, seconded by Robert Redfern, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted
to close the public hearing.
The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0 (Miller, Redfern, Jarema).
On a motion by John Jarema, seconded by Robert Redfern, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted
to accept the proposed draft decision dated October 14, 2004.
The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0 (Miller, Redfern, Jarema).
On a motion by Robert Redfern, seconded by Paul Dustin, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to
adjourn the meeting.
The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0 (Miller, Redfern, Jarema, Dustin, Conway).
Respectfully submit
Maureen M. Knight
Recording Secretar}