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Home My WebLink About2000-12-21 Zoning Board of Appeals MinutesTOWN OF READING R FI V 0 ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS € V,' MINUTES OF DECEMBER 21, 2000 E A 01 N , A S S. MEMBERS PRESENT: MICHAEL LARKIN, CHAIRM 1 FEB 22 P 2. 59 JOHN JAREMA EDMUND BALBONI 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 PM. Building Inspector Glen Redmond and Town Planner Anne Krieg were also in attendance Case #00-32 Continuance of a Public Hearing on the petition of James M. Burgess, Agent to Metricom, who seeks a Special Permit under Section 4.3.5 of the Zoning By-laws in order to install a wireless communications facility to the facade of an existing smoke stack in an industrial zone and for the location of accessory equipment on the existing roof on the property located at One General Way, Reading, MA. Chairman Michael Larkin swore in the applicants. James Burgess stated this is a California based company expanding to this area. The company allows access to the Internet through airwaves instead of the phone line. They are seeking permission to install a wired access point to the facade of the existing smoke stack. The size is 3 V2' high x 6" wide. It does not exceed the height of the smoke stack, will be mounted flush, and painted the same color. They are also installing an equipment cabinet at the base. This is approximately the size of a refrigerator with the decibel level of a dishwasher. The base cabinet will have an 8' chain link fence with a combination lock. The weight of the unit is 600 lbs., installed on an 8" x 10" thick, reinforced, 10' x 10' concrete pad. It is hard wired to the phone line, with 200 amps going to the cabinet. There is a second option, that the unit would be installed on a steel platform with feet 10" off the ground. John Jarema requested specification on the plans. Structural engineer Ken Peterson, International Chimney, attested to the integrity of the chimney. On a motion by John Jarema, seconded Edmund Balboni, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to grant a Special Permit to Metricom, Inc. in order to install a wireless communication facility to the facade of an existing smoke stack and to secure a 10' x 10' pad for the purposes of supporting accessory equipment at One General Way, Reading MA, and to be surrounded by an 8' high, 12' x 12' chain link fence, subject to the conditions in Section 4.3.5 of the Zoning By-laws, especially, but not limited to Section D, F, and G. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of 12/21/00 page 2 Case #00-30 Continuance of a Public Hearing on the petition of Eugene J. Patch who seeks a variance/special permit/finding under Section 4.4.5/5.1.1/5.1.1.2/4.4.4.2 of the MGL Chapter 40A, Section 6, in order to construct a single family dwelling on the property located at the corner of Governor's Drive and Salem Street, Map 93/Lots 5, 6, 7 and 8 in Reading, MA Atty. Brad Latham requested a continuance. Zoning Board members Susan Miller and Bernard O'Shaughnessy attended the previous hearing and they are not in attendance to vote this evening. On a motion by John Jarema, seconded by Edmund Balboni, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to continue the hearing for the petitioner Eugene J. Patch for the property located at the corner of Governor's Drive and Salem Street, Map 93/Lots 5, 6, 7 and 8 in Reading, MA, until January 18, 2001. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Case #00-34 A Public Hearing on the petition of Mark Richards who seeks a variance and/or a special permit under Section 5.0/5.1.2/6.3.3.3 of the Zoning By-laws in order to construct a two story addition (20.0' x 25.6') to the rear f an existing dwelling on the property located at 30 Harrison Street, Reading, MA. Chairman Michael Larkin swore in the applicants. Mark Richards stated he had previously withdrawn this petition on May 2000. He would like to extend the kitchen of his house. The side yard is approximately 16' and would be changed to 8'2". The existing front yard is 23'2". The house is positioned at an angle. This is a two story addition. The existing deck is 24' x 8' and is approximately 10' from the northerly lot line. The house is 18' x 26' and they will add 3' or 4' to the kitchen. There is a dirt road between their property and the adjacent park. Mark Richards submitted a petition in support of this project, signed by 24 abutters. He also read a letter from Chris and Tom McBride, 39 Harrison Street, Reading, MA in support of this petition. John Jarema reviewed the variance requirements of the Zoning By-laws. He stated there isn't a permit for the existing deck. The submitted plans are not certified and they need the exact measurements of the deck and the distance to the lot line. On a motion by Edmund Balboni, seconded by John Jarema, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to grant a variance under Section 5.0/5.1.2 of the Zoning By-laws to Mark Richards in order to construct a two story addition, 20' x 25.6' to the rear of an existing dwelling at the property located at 30 Harrison Street, Reading, MA, and that the closest part westerly be no closer than 8'2" to the existing lot line as indicated on the plans submitted by Precision Surveying and Planning. Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of 12/21/00 page 3 On a motion by Edmund Balboni, seconded by John Jarema, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to grant a Special Permit under Section 6.3.3.4 of the Zoning By-laws, to construct a two story addition 20' x 25.6', and that the closest part westerly be no closer than 8'2" to the existing lot line as indicated on the plans submitted by Precision Surveying and Planning. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0. Case #00-33 A Public Hearing on the petition of Rangeway Farms, LLC c/o Carter & Coleman, 248 Main Street, Reading, MA who seeks a comprehensive permit pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 40B to construct twelve unit townhouse project on the property located at 1375 Main Street, Reading, MA. Chairman Michael Larkin swore in the petitioners. Atty. Denise Moynihan, Carter & Coleman, represented the petitioner. The petitioner is seeking a Comprehensive Permit to build 12 individual structures, with 4 condominium units per structure. There is a landscaped island in the middle of the structures. 25% of the housing will be limited to 80% income of the area's median. Engineer Jim O'Day submitted a new set of plans showing the abutting structures. The building line was brought forward 5' to meet the 15' setback requirement. They will install permeable pavers. Drywalls will be installed at the corners of the building for drainage. There will be a lottery for the affordable units. All interior and exterior units will be the same. The height of the building is 36' and they are requesting relief from the 35' zoning regulations. There are a total of 32 parking space, this includes one driveway and one space in front of each condominium, plus eight additional spaces for guests. There are 2 bedrooms in each unit, with an optional third bedroom if requested. The market rate units will be sold in the low $300,000 range. This project is funded through the Middlesex Federal Savings Bank. Town Planner Anne Krieg stated she would like to see the project limited to 20% lot coverage because this is in an important aquifer district. Town Engineer Joe Delaney submitted a letter with a list of 10 concerns. The Reading Historical Commission submitted a letter stating the original building was built around 1840 and they would like to have this building incorporated in the project. The Conservation Commission submitted a letter with their concerns because this parcel is located in the Aquifer Protection District. Robert Angelo, 1381 Main Street, stated this project does not fit the neighborhood. He was concerned the height of the building would block the sunlight. He requested fencing and screening and assurance that the lower land area will not be flooded. The petitioner's engineer, Jim O'Day, stated they will have 3 dry wells that comply with DEP. They do not expect the additional ground water to impact the neighbors. Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of 12/21/00 page 4 The Mass. Historical Society will be reviewing this project. The applicant will need to do a structural analysis on the existing house. David Bunten, 1387 Main Street, was concerned with the height of the buildings and the configuration. The petitioner stated the units could be taken down a level to a three story unit and the configuration changed. They may have to decrease the number of units, but are willing to work with the abutters and the Town. Stephen Spinazola and Sandra Little, 48 Gavin Circle, submitted a letter dated December 20, 2000, listing their objections. John Jarema requested the following for the next hearing. 1. A Historical review. 2. An architectural design with the reduced height and relocation of the units. 3. Town Engineer Joe Delaney attend the next hearing to discuss the percolation test and the aquifer district issue. On a motion by John Jarema, seconded by Edmund Balboni, the Zoning board of Appeals voted to continue the public hearing on Case #00-33 Rangeway Farms, LLC c/o Carter & Coleman for the property located at 1375 Main Street, Reading, MA, until February 1, 2001. The Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously voted to adjourn their meeting at 10:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Joy Mohr Recording Secretary