HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-09-11 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesCOMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
OF THE TOWN OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS
MMI
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 11, 1995
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A meeting of the Community Planning and Development Commission of the Town of Reading
was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room in the Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street in Reading,
Massachusetts on September 11, 1995. In attendance were Bryan Irwin, Chairman, Commission
Secretary Nancy Shipes, and Members Jonathan Barnes, and Richard Howard. Also in
attendance was Town Planner Jonathan Edwards.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM.
APPROVAL-NOT-REQUIRED PLANS AND OTHER BUSINESS
After discussion with the Town Planner, the Commission voted 4:0 to approve a motion by Mr.
Howard, seconded by Ms. Shipes, to endorse the Definitive Subdivision Plans for Anson Lane,
dated July 7, 1995.
After review, the Commission voted 4:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Ms.
Shipes, the Commission voted 4:0 to endorse a Plan of Land at 119 Van Norden Road, dated
May 18, 1995 and did so endorse.
OPEN SPACE PLAN
After discussion, the Commission voted 4:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Barnes, seconded by Mr.
Irwin, to endorse the proposed Reading Open Space Plan and to instruct Mr. Edwards to
communicate this endorsement together with an expression of the Commission's strong support
of this plan, its consistency with the Master Plan, and appreciation of the tireless, committed, and
thoughtful efforts of the Open Space Plan Committee.
PUBLIC HEARING--SITE PLAN REVISIONS: LONGWOOD SENIOR LIVING CENTER
Mr. Irwin called to order a Public Hearing to consider revisions to the previously approved Site
Plan for the proposed Longwood Senior Living Center at the Pearl Street School. Messrs.
William Casper, applicant, and Michael Liu, architect, reviewed the revisions, which resulted
from the Special Permit and Variance decision by the Zoning Board of Appeals and by the
National Park Service in determining qualification of the project according to the US Department,
of Interior historic preservation tax-credit program. Mr. Edwards related staff comments, and
Mr. Barnes related favorable comments and questions by the Historical Commission. Citizens in
attendance stated concerns regarding effects of the relocation of the entrance to the rear of the
building and the compatibility of the proposed project with the character of the neighborhood.
The Commission voted 4:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Ms. Shipes, to
close the public hearing, and voted 4:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Ms.
Shipes, to approve the revised plans according to a Notification to Town Clerk dated September
1995.
Ms. Shipes left the quorum at this point.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING--DEFINITIVE SUBDIVISION PLANS:
STRAWBERRY HILL LANE
Mr. Irwin called to order a continued public hearing to consider Definitive Plans for the proposed
Strawberry Hill Subdivision on Walnut Street. Mr. Jeff Diercks of Camp Dresser & McKee,
who was engaged by the Town Engineer at the request of the Commission, presented his firm's
finding that there was no reason to anticipate, based on current information, that the subdivision
would cause any increase negative groundwater effects. on surrounding properties. Mr. O.
Bradley Latham, abutters' attorney stated that the groundwater issue still exists and that
adequately dense screening should be provided along open parts of the perimeter of the
subdivision tract.
The Commission voted 3:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mr. Barnes, to
close the public hearing, and then voted 3:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by
Mr. Barnes, to approve the Definitive Plans for this subdivision according to a Notification to
Town Clerk dated September 13, 1995.
ADJOURNMENT
At 11:09 PM a motion was made and seconded to adjourn and the Commission voted
unanimously to do so.
Respectfully submitted:
Signed. A
Nancy Shies, Secr tary
Approved: (I t on,
Date: 1 '~12 - 12 2