HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-08-02 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTOW OF READING
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF AUGUST 2, 100:3
A meeting of the Community Planning arid, Development Commission of
the Town of Reading was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Rooms of
the Town Hall, 10 Lowell Street in Reading, Massachusetts on
August2; 1993, In attendance were Thomas Baillie, Commission
Secretary. and Members Nancy Shipes and Jonathan Barnes, who
acted as Chair. Also present was Town Planner Jonathan Edwards,
The meeting was called to order at 7:32 PM.
PUBLIC MEETING ON SIGN BY--LAW REVISIONS
Mr. Barnes opened a publi . meeting to obtain input from inter-
ested citizens and businesses concerning possible revisions to
the Sign By-Law section of the Zoning By-Laws. . Mr. Barnes
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presented slides showing signs in Andover, Melrose, Lexington,
Concord, and Redoing. Comments were then entertained from those
present at the meeting:
Bob Matson--one business, one sign is a ;food basis- size, place-
ment, and materials are important.
Tom Stohlman----eternal illumination is better than internal il-
lumination; continuity and harmony among signs; different
rules for different areas; projecting signs are okay and may
be easier to see; nothing in current regulations precludes
better signa,ge than shat Reading has now.
Jim Keigley--there are many free.-standing signs, which are very
expensive, over 30 on South Main Street alone.
Virginia. Adams---Reading's downtown is not the same as other
downtowns, basic character established in the 1920's, with
one-story blocks designed for certain sizes and placement=
of signs; the prohibition against political signs should be
kept,.
Leslie McGonagle--street trees have overgrown and obscured signs;
some businesses such as gas stations are legally required to
have certain signs; others have legitimate or unique needs;
too much regulation has inhibited business development.
Ann DiCicco--she makes wooden signs, which need not cost more
than plastic, internally illuminated signs.
Mark Favaloro--integration, pattern, and consistency among signs
are imiDortant.
Marilyn Martiniak--Stoneham"s Male Street program has made some
significant improvements there.
Nancy Eaton--addresses need to be clearer, Town street signs more
visible, business signs are too high to be seven.
Lorr..l e Hall--South Main Street _ is ugly because of large: high
signs, overhead wires, and lack of street trees.
Bill Kennedy--there are legitimate deeds for temporary signs.
Responses to Clancy ShIT)es 's question about what types of
businesses have special sign needs:
-gas stations,
-garden stands,
-service/office/Professional usesl
-chain stores corporate logos.
Other issues mentioned:
-equitable replacement of expensive non--conforming signs,
i .ns inside windows,
-signs should be able to identify nature of business and
Products and services sold.
Mr. Barnes informed those Present of the schedule of upcoming
public meetings and public hearings on this matter,
OTHER BUSINESS
Upon recommendation of staff, the Commission endorsed the Defini-
tive Plans for the Nugent Lane subdivision,
ADJOURNMENT
At 10:11 PIS a motion was made and seconded to adjourn and the
Commission voted unanimously to do so.
Respectfully Submitted: Approved: August 23, 1993
Signed: Date: Thomas Baillie, Secretary
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