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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-08-28 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutes4'tECt " Z :K TOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES OF AUGUST 28, 1995 A meeting of the Community Planning and Development Commission of the Town of Reading was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room of the Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street in Reading, Massachusetts on August 28, 1995. In attendance were Bryan Irwin, Chair, and Mem- bers Jonathan Barnes and Richard Howard. Also present were Town Planner Jonathan Edwards and Town Engineer Joseph Delaney. The meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM. DISCUSSION WITH THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION The Commission discussed several issues of mutual concern with members of the Conservation Commission: Nancy Eaton (Chairwoman), Joanne Nickerson, Clif Proctor, and Steve Chapman, and Conserva- tion Administrator Donald Nadeau. William Murphy, Chairman of the Board of Health, was also present. Topics included coordina- tion of subdivision and PRD compliance and completion, streamlin- ing PUD processing, environmental analysis for closing and cap- ping the landfill and preparing it for development, and street acceptance standards and procedures. 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 Lane subdivi- sion. Mr. Delaney reported on changes and adequacy thereof rela- tive to surface drainage and runoff: hard-piping through existing downstream easements and no detention pond. Attorney O. Bradley Latham, representing neighbors, stated that the surface drainage system proposed would be acceptable provided that the entire im- pervious areas of Lots 5 and 6 drain into this system; however, potential adverse effects on groundwater have not be investigated or determined. Attorney Mark Favaloro, representing the ap- plicant, responded that the above suggestions were acceptable, except for a groundwater study. Some neighbors stated that groundwater issues are serious in the area and that a study and an indemnity bond would be in order. After an extension agree- ment to September 13, 1995 was executed by the applicant and Mr. Irwin, the Commission then voted 3:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mr. Barnes, to continue the public hearing to 9:00 PM on September 11, 1995, and that the Town Engineer an Town Planner obtain an independent consultant's determination as to whether, on the basis of existing information, there is likely to be a groundwater problem and that a groundwater study would be necessary to confirm that there would be no adverse groundwater impacts. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING--DEFINITIVE SUBDIVISION PLANS: DOMAL ESTATES (872-882 MAIN STREET) - -After Mr. Irwin called to -order a continued public hearing to consider definitive plans for the proposed Domal Estates Subdivi- sion, Paul Finocchio, engineer for the applicant, presented revised plans. Messrs. Edwards and Delaney provided comments on 1 these revisions. Concerns expressed by the public in attendance included drainage (including a blockage at 908 Main Street which backs up water onto other properties in the area), blasting, rights on adjoining property for the water line, responsibility for maintaining the retaining walls, and traffic safety and a warning sign. The Commission voted 3:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mr. Barnes, to close the public hearing. In the course of discussion of the issues revolving around this subdivision, the Commission voted 3:0 to approve the following motions by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mr. Barnes: -that the Town Engineer and the Town Planner draft a memorandum by which the Commission could recommend to the Board of Selectmen to place a suitable article on the warrant of the Fall 1995 Town Meeting to take a drainage ear,,emen.t. on property at or near 908 Main Street, and -that the Town Planner draft a memorandum by which the Com- mission could recommend that the Board of Selectmen ap- prove, and request the State to approve, the placement of a warning sign at the crest of the hill in Main Street south of the proposed intersection of this sub- division street and to reduce the speed limit on this section of Main Street to 35 miles per hour. Further discussion centered in large part on the traffic safety and visibility issues, and the Commission expressed a desire for input from the Police Department. Thus, the Commission voted 3:0 to approve motions of Mr. Howard, both seconded by Mr. Barnes, to reopen the public hearing, and (after securing an extension agreement to September 30, 1995 executed by the applicant and Mr. Irwin) to continue the public hearing to 7:45 PM on September 18, 1995. The Commission asked Mr. Edwards to request accident data om Main Street from Salem to Franklin Streets and to see if a Police representative could attend the September 18th meeting relative to this issue. OTHER BUSINESS AND ADJOURNMENT Upon request of the subdivider and according to a recommendation from the Town Engineer, the Commission voted 3:0 to approve a mo- tion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mr. Barnes, to reduce the Car- riage Estates II subdivision bond from $313,000 to $265,000. The Commission also asked Mr. Edwards to draft a recommended subdivi- sion completion-date extension policy. At 11:10 PM a motion was made and seconded to adjourn and the Commission voted unanimously to do so. Respectfully Submitted: Approved: 91td19 5 Signed: Date: 2