HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-01-10 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTai.}Sd'N O READING
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF JANUARY 10, 1994
A meeting of the Community Planning and Development Commission of
the Town of Reading was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room o
the Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street in Reading, Massachusetts on
January 10, 1994. In attendance were Thomas Daillie, Commission
Secre't>>ary, acting as Chair; and Members Nancy Shipes and William
Goodrich. Also present was Town Planner Jonathan Edwards. The
meeting was called to order at 7:43 PM.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
The minutes of the Commission's meeting of December 13, 1993 were
amended and accepted.
APPROVAL-NOT-REQUIRED SUBDIVISION PLAN
Mr. Edwards presented an Approval-riot-Required subdivision plan
of land, dated December 23, 1993, on Longwood Road, a recognised
private road shown of n four maps. Although
Mr. Edwards pointed
out that a[}~r(~}tlttf~ately .Lor ryxe~'v1.L Cs ago the had endorsed
an ANR plan of land farther up the road, during deliberations on
which Town Counsel had advised that the road could be construed
by the Commission as appropriate for meeting zoning lot frontage
requirements, the Commission questioned whether the road was of
suitable condition to support this proposed lot or the number of
other ANR lots wench could he created along this road. Reference
to Subdivision Control Law showed that the determination of such
suitability was under the Commission's discretion. In order to
provide the applicant with the opportunity to address this con-
cern, the Commission voted 3:0 to .1f:T37'ove a motion made ~ L
Shipe s , seconded by Mr. Goodrich, to continue this matter to 7:45
PM on January 24, 1994.
DISCUSSION--PEARL STREET SCHOOL, PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Baillie called to order a discussion about the proposed
redevelopment of the Pearl Street School. Mr. William Caspar, of
the designated developer/bidder, Longwood Management Company,
presented his intentions to rehabilitate the building and to add
t it in order to create an assisted living; complex for the el-
derly, with 20;x; of the residential units to he affordable. His
architect, Michael Loo, presented the most current schematic site
and building plans and elevations. Mr. Edwards outlined the
review and approval process: special permit from the Zoning: Board
of Appeals following CPDC site plan recommendation.
Members of the Housing Authority were present and spoke to con-
cern that he affordable component be available to low- and
----moderate= income persons of more thin extremely low income, taiosJ_Y'
having incomes between roughly 700 and $40,000 per year, who
would not have sufficient resources to pay for rent and services
on the market units but would have too much income for available
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government subsidy programs. The Housing Authority members felt
that this gap would need to be addressed in order to meet needs
of Reading residents. The developer agreed a`trld stated his will-
ingness to work with the Town on this matter.
Discussion also focussed on the need for variances from the
provisions of the Municipal Building Reuse By-Law to accommodate
this proposal; and to meet the requirements for financing through
the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency. Variances from ;parkin
requirements, the limitation of the addition size, and the
perimeter setback would be needed. Messrs. Goodrich and Edwards
~~ointed out that the limitation on addition size was intended to
ensure that an addition not overpower the existing school build-
ing and that the integrity of the existing building be Preserved:
and that if these intentions could be met the Commission should
have no problem in recommending this variance to the Zoning Board
of Appeals. Similarly, the developer's analysis of parking needs
for this type ~
of facility which he Presented would seem to jus-
tify some extent of parking variance. The Commission expressed
most concern with any variance from the fifty-foot perimeter set-
back requirement, as this could seriously impact site abutters.
OTHER BUSINESS
For personal reasons==, Ms. Shipes asked to be withdrawn as the
Commission representative to the prospective Performing Arts Cen
ter Task Force; the Commission assented regretfully, and decided
to recommend another member at the next meeting. The Town
Manager, Peter Hechenbleikner, in attendance, reminded the Com-
mission that its representation mould also be desired on the RMLD
Building Reuse Task Force and the Mineral Street Bridge Tas=k
Force. Mr. Edwards reminded the members that the quarterly meet-
ing with the Board of Selectmen is scheduled for January 18th.
Be also reported that Mr. Howard's recommendations for further
Master Plan implementation included both completing the revisions
to the Subdivision Regulations and initiating Economic Develop-
ment Action Strategies for South Main Street, to follow up on the
new Sign By-Laws. Mr. Hechen.hleikner informed the Commission
that not many applications have been received for the Sign Review
Board, and the Commission agreed to solicit potential members for
that new board.
ADJOURNMENT
At. 10:31 PM a motion was made and seconded to adjourn and the
Commission voted unanimously to do so.
f-•'.epec tf ul y Submitted:
S igned:
Thomas Baillie, Secretary
Approved:
Date:
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