HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-06-03 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTOWN OF READING
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF JUNE 3, 1996
A meeting of the Community Planning and Development Commission of the Town of Reading
was held in the Lecture Hall of the Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road in Reading,
Massachusetts on June 3, 1996. In attendance were Bryan Irwin, Chair; and Members Jonathan
Barnes, and Susan DeMatteo. Also present were Town Planner, Jonathan Edwards and Town
Counsel Ted Cohen. The meeting was called to order at 7:30PM.
The number of citizens present totalled 157 people.
The discussion began with a presentation, by Jonathan Edwards, of a nine-page Report of
Findings Concerning Impacts of Adult-Oriented Uses. Mr. Gordon Anderson, of the citizens
coalition, presented petitions asserting that these uses are inappropriate to the Reading
community, to enact by-laws to maximize public protection against the effects of these uses, and
to challenge the current location of the existing adult videostore. He stated that 3,689 citizens
have signed this petition over a nine-day period.
Selectman MacDonald told the meeting that the Board of Selectmen supports these efforts and
had initiated discussions last winter with CPDC toward developing a by-law for the Fall 1996
Town Meeting. Ted Cohen explained the basic legalities of the issue which the Town's efforts
must be consistent with, and throughout the evening he answered a large number of questions
from the audience about the legal aspects and limitations of the matter.
Eighteen citizens, in addition to Mr. Anderson, spoke. These citizens included Donna Boulier,
Steve Olmar, Robert Baker, David Gould, Bill Smith, Dick Spersky, Bill Brown, Emerson
Tucker, Debbie Boschetti, Linda Simard, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Welsch, Frank Sylvester, Bobbi
Botticelli, Jean Clark, Mich Chacho, Ruth Brophy, Kate Clark, Linda Gerrin, and Ellen Brutnick.
There were numerous legal questions, and many comments concerning the need to protect the
character and citizens of the community from the adverse effects of these uses and that these uses
are not appropriate to our community. Some focussed on specific operation controls which while
beyond the scope of zoning may be appropriate as items controlled by licensing. Concern was
expressed about the morality, and effects on safety, public health, community image and
appearance, property values, and neighborhood integrity.
The Commission voted 3:0 to approve a motion by Jonathan Barnes, seconded by Susan
DeMatteo, that the CPDC accept and adopt the findings presented in the Town Planner's report of
June 3,1996 and on that basis concluded that the secondary impacts of adult-oriented uses are
significant and should be addressed by the adoption of zoning regulations to address these
The Commission affirmed that it will hold a meeting in the Lecture Hall at Reading Memorial
High School at 7:30PM on Monday, June 17, 1996, to receive a draft zoning amendment warrant
article to be prepared by the Town Counsel and the Town Planner.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:45PM, a motion was made and seconded to adjourn and the Commission voted unanimously
to do so.
Respectfully Submitted: Approved:1 r~ , 1 q
Signed: Date:
Bryan rwi , Chairman
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