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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-02-08 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 8, 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, 18 Lowell Street in Reading, Massachusetts on February 9, 1993. In attendance were Members Nancy Shipes, Wil- liam Goodrich, and Thomas Stohlman, who acted as Chair far this meeting. Also present were Town Planner Jonathan Edwards and Town Engineer William Robertson. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES The minutes of the Commission's meeting of January 25, 1993 were amended and accepted. LITIGATION Mr. Edwards presented a proposed revision to the prospective settlement terms for an appeal of the Commission's decision on the Carriage Estates, Phase II Subdivision, involving a revision to the temporary cul-de-sac location at the end of Corey Laney this revision was recommended by Town Counsel as meeting the ac- ceptance of both private parties involved in the case. The Com- mission instructed Mr. Edwards to communicate to Town Counsel no objection to this revised settlement. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING---DEFINITIVE SUBDIVISION PLANS: VARNEY CIRCLE Mr. Stohlman called to order a continued public hearing to con- sider Definitive Subdivision Plans for Varney Circle. Mr. Ed- wards presented Mr. Robertson's latest comments, upon which Mr. Robertson elucidated. Mr. Bill Bergeron, engineer for the ap- plicant, reviewed plan revisions including a 15-foot wide driveway on Lot 2, locations of existing trees, and revised retention basin. The Commission discussed requested waivers, commenting that the applicant should consider extending the sidewalk on one side of the street far enough to serve Lot 2 and questioning the adequacy of sidewalk-waiver compensation proposed. In response to a question as to whether Lot 5, a non-- buildable lot with no frontage, should be declared by mote to be donated to the Town, Mr. Edwards stated that he regarded as legally questionable whether such intent could properly be made a condition of any approval of the subdivision. After Catherine Varney, the applicant, and Mr. Stohlman executed an Extension Agreement extending the time for recording a decision to March Mr. Goodrich, seconded by Ms. Shipes, to continue the public hearing to 8:00 PM, March 8, 1993. FAIRWOOD ACRES BOND RELEASE REQUEST Mr. Robertson informed the Commission that the street and utility work has been completed, and that the developer has agreed to provide a check for $700 to the Town as bond to ensure street tree survival if the entire bond amount were released as re- quested. A resident raised a question about the sidewalk im- provements that had been proposed along Van Norden -toad and was told that instead the Commission had approved sidewalk construc- tion along Main Street between this subdivision and Birch Meadow Drive as a safer route than the original Van Norden route. Mr. Ralph Mattucci pointed out that the note appearing on the ap- proved plan regarding Lot 38 has not been fulfilled. The ap- plicant, Roger Marcorelle of Danvers Savings Bank, and his attor- ney, Mr. Chris Chappell, maintained that the note was a scribners error but offered no substantiation, and that access to Mr. Mattucci"s undeveloped adjoining property has been provided via the Farichild Drive cul-de-sac. Mr. Edwards stated that legally the only ways to deal with this matter would either be fulfill- ment of the note or be a public hearing requested by the ap- plicant for subdivision plan modification. Ms. Shipes asked Mr. Mattucci if he could estimate the value of Lot 38, but he stated he could not. After discussion as to whether it would be proper for the Commission to hold bond funds in connection with a non- construction matter, the Commission voted 3:0 to approve a motion made by Ms. Shipes, seconded by Mr. Goodrich, to authorize release of the remaining bond, $72,949, and receive a certified check from the applicant for $700 to be held as bond to ensure the survival of street trees. DISCUSSION OF PROSPECTIVE PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT Mr. Edwards introduced Nat and Irene Bellantone, with their Landscape Architect, John Copley, to review concept plans for the development of their property at 89 Main Street as an 11-unit (with nine new units) PRD-G. One abutter raised questions as to the review process and expressed concern as to effects on his property from any access from the development to South Street. Mr. Edwards gave an overview of the PRD review process, and pointed out to the Commission that the first step would be a zoning map amendment approved by Town Meeting. The Commission voted 3:0 to approve a motion made by Ms. Shipes, seconded by Mr. Goodrich, to request the Board of Selectmen to place an article on the Warrant of the Annual (Spring) 1993 Town Meeting to amend the zoning map by applying the PRD-G zoning overlay district to this property. ADJOURNMENT At 10:35 PM a motion was made and seconded to adjourn and the Respec ly Submitte Sign chard Howard, Secretary 2 Approved: February 22, 1993 Date: 312-i ,