HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-09-12 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutes€ LU w o - MTOWN OF READING
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 12, 1994
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 Sep-
tember 12, 1994. In attendance were Thomas Baillie, Chair; Bryan
Irwin, Commission Secretary; and Members Nancy Shipes and Richard
Howard. Also present was Town Planner Jonathan Edwards. The
meeting was called to order at 7:37 PM.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
The minutes of the Commission's meeting of June 30, 1994 were
amended and accepted.
APPROVAL-NOT-REQUIRED AND OTHER SUBDIVISION PLANS
After review, the Commission voted 4:0 to approve a motion made
by Ms. Shipes, seconded by Mr. Howard, to endorse a Plan of Land
on Ashley Place, Lot 18A, dated September 9, 1994, provided that
the structure on the lot and setbacks from the structure to the
property lines be shown on the plan. The Commission then en-
dorsed the plan.
After review and hearing the recommendation of the Engineering
Division, the Commission voted 4:0 to approve a motion of Mr.
Howard, seconded by Ms. Shipes, to endorse Definitive Plans for
the Parsons Lane subdivision, and the Commission so endorsed the
plans.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: DEFINITIVE SUBDIVISION PLANS--
FIENEMANN CIRCLE
Mr. Baillie called to order a continued Public Hearing to con-
sider Definitive Plans for the proposed Fienemann Circle subdivi-
sion. Discussion focussed on the Sanborn Lane blockage and un-
derground wiring. The Commission voted 3:0:1 (Mr. Howard
abstaining) to approve a motion of Ms. Shipes, seconded by Mr.
Irwin, to close the public hearing, and the Commission scheduled
the decision for 10:00 PM on October 17. 1994.
PUBLIC HEARING: FINAL PRD-M PLANS--BEAR HILL
Mr. Baillie called to order a Public Hearing to consider Final
Planned Residential Development--Municipal (PRD-M) Plans for the
proposed multi-family development at Bear Hill. Mr. O. Bradley
Latham, attorney for the applicant, reviewed conditions of the
Preliminary Decision, particularly regarding stone-facing of
retaining walls and drainage plans and calculations not yet being
completed. Mr. Andrew Dolben, applicant, requested guidance from
the --Commission as to the level of detail - required in the Final
Plans.
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Mr. Edwards presented and summarized extensive comments from him-
self, the Engineering Division, the Commission's Consultant En-
gineer William Robertson, the Town Manager, and the Recreation
Administrator. Mr. Donald Allen, representing the Reading Hous-
ing Authority, presented a review of the proposed affordable
housing provisions and an estimate that the value to the Town of
such provisions of as much as $1.4-million. Mr. Baillie raised
such issues as impacts on schools, impacts on the water supply,
and relative traffic impact of 160 units in comparison to 100
units.
Mr. Mark Favaloro, attorney for an abutter, alleged that the Pur-
chase and Sales agreement between the Town and the applicant vio-
lated Section 4.10.3.3.7. of the Zoning By-Laws and requested the
Commission reference the language of this Section in its Bear
Hill decision. Other public comments included the need for a
pedestrian signal to cross Main Street, restrictions on access
into Hopkins Street in Wakefield, and a sidewalk along Summit
Drive.
The Commission instructed Mr. Edwards to seek from Mr. Robertson
quantification of the value of drainage mitigation/justification
and of proposed water-line looping and to develop an estimate of
the developable market value of the land proposed to be donated
to the Town north of the site.
The Commission specified that it would need the further informa-
tion for the next session of the hearing, including:
-drainage study, with Mr. Robertson's review
-detail about where off-site sidewalks are proposed
-applicant's responses to staff comments
-a copy of the response from DPW to Mr. MacDonald's letters
-a copy of Mr. Allen's affordable housing value analysis
-a copy of the report of the Bear Hill Evaluation Committee
-copy of letters from the Superintendent of Schools and the
Principal of Joshua Eaton School
The Commission voted 4:0 to approve a motion of Mr. Howard,
seconded by Mr. Irwin, to continue the Public Hearing to 9:00 PM
on September 26, 1994.
ADJOURNMENT
At 11:09 PM a motion was made and seconded to adjourn and the
Commission voted unanimously to do so.
Respectfully Submitted:
Approved: September 26, 1994
V.
Bryan Ir in, Secretary
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