HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-10-04 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTOWN OF READING
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF OCTOBER 4, 1993
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 Oc-
tober 4, 1996. In attendance were Thomas Baillie, Commission
Secretary acting as, Chair; and Members Nancy Shipes, William
Goodrich, and Jonathan Barnes. Also present was Town Planner
Jonathan Edwards. The meeting was called to order at 7:36 PM.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
The minutes of the Commission's meeting of September 13, 1993
were amended and accepted and those of September 27, 1993 were
accepted.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING--DEFINITIVE SUBDIVISION PLANS
ASHLEY WOODS II
Mr. Baillie called to order a continued public hearing to con-
sider definitive plans for the proposed Ashley Woods II Subdivi-
sion. Peter Ogren, engineer for the applicant, presented updated
drainage calculations and reviewed the proposed off-site drainage
mitigation plans. There was considerable discussion as to water
levels in a detention basin in lots on the easterly side of ex-
isting Ashley Place, into which this drainage would go. Matters
not resolved or addressed by the applicant since the last meeting
included a clarification of a property line and corner, extin-
guishment of the temporary cul-de-sac easement on the McHale
property, assurance that the street would not be intended to con-
nect eventually with Main Street or Forest Street. Ogren said he
would provide revised plans at the next meeting. Following the
execution of an extension agreement to October 20, 1993 with the
applicant's attorney, the Commission voted 4:0 to approve a mo-
tion made by Mr. Goodrich, seconded by Mr. Barnes, to continue
this, public hearing to 9:30 PM on October 18, 1993.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING--SIGN BY-LAWS
Mr. Baillie called to order a continued public hearing to con-
sider proposed amendments to the Sign By-Laws of the Zoning By-
Laws. Ms. Leslie McGonagle, president of the Reading Chamber of
Commerce, elucidated the Chamber's position on several issues:
schedule for bringing signs into conformity is okay in general,
freestanding signs should be up to 75 saua.re feet and 20 feet
high, two signs per business should be allowed, the $15,000 limit
on time for replacement should be changed to $10,000, Wes Parkers
sign: should be allowed to be higher to be more visible from Route
120, do not like the Sign Review Board but if there is to be one
there should be only three members on it to include one sign-
business and one business-owner representative, temporary signs
should be allowed to cover 50 percent of a window, there should
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be no limit on the number of special events for temporary signs
and 45 days should be allowed for each event, decorative non-
commercial flags should be allowed on business Properties.
The Commission voted 4:0 to approve two motions made by Ms.
Sh.ipes and seconded by Mr. Barnes: that the public hearing be
continued to 7:45 PM on November 1, 1993, and that the Commission
request the Board of Selectmen to place the Sign By-Law Article
on the Fall Town Meeting Warrant.
OTHER BUSINESS
Upon staff recommendation, the Commission approved by a vote of
4:0 a motion of Mr. Barnes seconded by Ms. Shi.pes to release
$98,504 so that $9141 would be retained of the bond held in con-
nection with the Birch Meadow Estates subdivision.
The Commission voted 4:0 to approve a motion made by Mr.
Goodrich, seconded by Mr. Barnes, to endorse an Approval-Not-
Required Plan of land at 85-87 Hancock Street owned by Riley,
dated July 1993, and so endorsed the plan.
The Commission voted 4:0 to approve a motion made by Mr.
Goodrich, seconded by Mr. Barnes, to endorse a Lot Release for
Lot 3, Old Farm Road, owned by Peabody, Philley, and MacMonagle,
dated June 15, 1976, and so endorsed the release.
ADJOURNMENT
At 11:02 PM a motion was made and seconded to adjourn and the
Commission voted unanimously to do so.
Respectfully Submitted: Approved: October 18, 1993
Signed: _ hate:
Thomas Baillie, Secretary
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