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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-23 Zoning Board of Appeals MinutesV TOWN OF READING C D ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS T O E C L E R K MINUTES OF JANUARY 23, 2003 f N S, MASS. 20-03 FEB 2t P 4: ! I MEMBERS PRESENT: JOHN JAREMA DONNA BOGGS SUSAN MILLER ROBERT REDFERN A meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room of Town Hall, 16 Lowell St., Reading, Massachusetts at 7:00 PM. Town counsel Joan Langsam was also present. CASE #02-24 Continuance of a Public Hearing on the petition of Archstone-Smith who seeks a Comprehensive Permit under MGL Chapter 40B to place a 232 unit apartment community on the property located at 40-42 & 70 West Street. Brian Blaessar, attorney for the applicant, gave an overview of the case and explained the nature of the presentation: f -The revised conceptual plan reflects a reduction in units to 204 from 232 -the applicant will explain comparison between prior and current plans -the applicant will take questions from Board and public -the applicant is looking to next public hearing as the last The provided memo meets the request of the Town to explain responses to staff and board. Sandy Vance, design consultant for the applicant, gave an overview of the differences between the original plan and the revised plan. Density has been reduced from 232 units to 204 units. Other revisions to the site plans were explained. The streetscape on West St. has been designed to match the historical nature of the surrounding Neighborhood. Townhouses have been added to screen the interior of the site. The site design has changed. In response to Town comments that the prior plan was too dense, the applicant provided a buffer between abutters and parking and buildings. They lowered buildings abutting residential properties to reduce massing. They reduced coverage on the site: buildings 17% parking/roadways 27% open space 63% They provided covered garages as buffer and transition to abutting properties. The facade will consist of townhouses while driving by on West Street. The retaining wall on the rear of site has been reworked to 6 to 8 feet as a result of reduce grading. Landscaping will be provided on the site. John Harris-47 West St. stated his concern that you could see up to 8 curb cuts on West Street and County Road from this development. Sandy Vance explained that there will be a sidewalk along West St. in front of the development. This will prevent parking in front. John Jarema added that the ZBA will see that conditions in the Decision will address specific concerns. Pam Mallette, 67 Whitehall Lane asked about guest parking and where it would be. Sandy Vance explained that guest spaces and adequate access for regular and emergency vehicles will be provided to and on the site. Katrin Wynns, 33 County Road asked about what kind of buffers will be provided between the site and abutters. Sandy Vance stated that the applicant plans to triangulate evergreen trees for a buffer along the entire perimeter that abuts neighbors. The buffer will be 20 feet. Joanne Metzger, 12 County Road asked what the slope will be in the buffers. Sandy Vance said that the slope will contain trees so it will be minimal. John Jarema added that the town requested a more natural slope with a gradual grading. Joanne Metzger asked which way the access exiting the site across from Louanis Drive would be turning. Bob Michaud, Traffic Engineer for the applicant, described how the entrance will restrict a left turn to County Road by design. It will be a right turn in, right turn out. Joanne Metzger asked what kind of sound buffer will be provided from 193. Sandy Vance explained that the distance between the neighborhood and 93 provides a natural sound barrier because the noise dissipates; landscaping doesn't provide sound barrier. Bob McCullough assured that Archstone's in-house sound attenuation committee designs buildings to baffle sound. John Jarema added that garages were requested to baffle sound, along with the request to `~.reduce slope. Maureen Arakelian -Whitehall Lane said that the applicant should petition the State to put in sound barriers. She is also concerned about the traffic coming out of the South St. entrance on West St. and feels it will adversely effect access to Whitehall Lane. Frank Demillo discussed the height of buildings and the townhouses on West St. that will conceal the interior of the site except for narrow corridors that will actually look into open space. John Harris asked how many 4 story buildings will be in the development. Pam Mallatte-67 Whitehall Lane wanted to verify that there will be a signal coming out of the South St. entrance on West St. Bob Michaud stated that their calculations indicate 25% of traffic exiting the development will turn left on West St. Ed Fuller- 4 County Road is concerned about noise and an adequate buffer is important. He asked about what kind of lighting will be on the site. Sandy Vance said that some illumination from the buildings is unavoidable but the lights will be in the parking areas and will have cutoffs to block glare. Katrin Wynns asked if the applicant has building facades for review Sandy Vance explained that elevations will vary between the townhouses and they will be different styles to mimic residential architecture on West St. Joanne Metzger wanted a more detailed explanation on the lighting Sandy Vance went over the characteristics of the fixtures. There will be no spot lights. Sconces and entrance lights will be provided. The lighting will illuminate parking but not the buildings. Bob McCullough added that the lights will be on timers and they will not beon overnight. Joanne Metzger wanted to know what will happen with the West St. lanes at the South St. intersection? John Jarema indicated the Town has made no decision on the number of lanes that will be required at the intersection. Katrin Wynns wanted to know where all the kids from the development will go to school. John Jarema asked Chris Reilly to provide information on the West St. 40B plans to the School Committee. Calculations have been made on the school-aged population in Reading's condo developments. He observed that the School Committee can't help but be aware of proposed developments. Maureen Arakelian asked about the effect of the development on the water pressure in the area. Rick Patini said the water pressure is adequate at present to handle proposed site- improvements. Maureen Arakelian is concerned about 4 lanes on West St. and believes it will be bad for pedestrians and traffic. Bob Michaud described how the existing level of traffic is high. Archstone is willing to provide funding for public traffic improvements. Long queing will still happen with a signal at West St. and South St.: the signal will make it safer. Ques will build with three lanes, while four lanes would reduce queing With 4 lanes there will be more green time to South St. so ques will shorten. Joanne Metzger asked if the Town had resolved the drainage/sewer Issues in the area John Jarema said it is still under review and the Town Engineer will make recommendation to the ZBA, which will be written into the Decision. Maureen Arakelian repeated that traffic will get worse from site. Holleen Harris-79 West St. wanted to know where the traffic on West St. will merge after the signal. Bob Michaud explained that merging would occur approximately 150 feet past the signal. John Jarema wanted to know what the signalization will cost Bob Michaud estimated that it will cost $200k-$300k for the signal. Pam Mallette stated that traffic backs up at South St. and West St. from Bradlees in Woburn and there will be a problem whatever is done. Joanne Metzger asked if the Town Engineer will make the decision on the traffic improvements. Maureen Arakelian said the applicant should run a shuttle to alleviate traffic. Donna Boggs asked the applicant to describe the building assemblies for sound buffering. Bob McCullough explained that the architect can look at design to incorporate sound assemblies in construction. Sandy Vance summarized by going over changes as specified in provided charts. On a motion by Bob Redfern, seconded by Donna Boggs, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to continue the public hearing on the comprehensive permit application by Archstone Smith Operating Trust for the property located at 40-72 West St. Reading, MA until February 27, 2003. The motion was approved 3-0-0. Old/New Business John Jarema discussed the missing Minutes from the files. He asked for a list of what the Town Clerk. Has. John Jarema asked Town Counsel Joan Langsam whether the comprehensive permit as approved for George St. could be amended by the applicant if - he wanted to develop additional, abutting land. Town Counsel advised that the applicant would have to come back before the ZBA. The Board would have the discretion to require a new application. John Jarema asked Town Counsel for guidance on the new Chapter 40B regulations and when the ZBA could impose the moratorium on new applications for good faith progress toward the minimum affordable housing percentage. Town Counsel said she would have to review the new regulations. On a motion by Sue Miller, seconded by Bob Redfern, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to adjourn at 10:15 PM. Motion Approved 3-0-0 Respectfully submitted, ~F Chris Reilly Town Planner