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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-01-04 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES OF JANUARY 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, 13 Lowell Street in Reading, Massachusetts on January 4, 1993. In attendance were Jonathan Barnes, Chair; Richard Howard, Commission Secretary; and Members Nancy Shipes, William Goodrich, and Thomas Stohlman. Also present were Town Planner Jonathan Edwards and Town Engineer William Robertson. The meeting was called to order at 7:36 PM. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES The minutes of the C'ommission's meeting of December 14, 1993 were amended and accepted. The Commission voted 5:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mr. Goodrich, to accept the proposed Meeting Schedule for 1993. Also, the Commission reviewed the draft copy of the proposed Annual Report for 1992 with changes to add mention of quarterly meetings held with the Board of Selectmen, to indicate the one outstanding litigation, to point out that efforts to implement the Master Plan have led to increased coordination with other Boards and Commissions, and to thank the Tree Warden for his help on various matters. SCENIC ROADS APPLICATION--SOUTH STREET: DECISION After pointing out that the Public Hearing concerning the ap- plication by the Board of Selectmen under the Scenic Roads Regulations to make alterations to South Street, between Main and Walnut Streets, had been held and closed at the meeting of Decem- ber 14, 1992, Mr. Barnes opened the matter for discussion amongst, the Commission members, with a view toward reaching a decision at this meeting. Mr. Howard raised concerns about the proposed matting to protect. tree roots, the affect of pole and wire relocations on trees to be kept,, and the removal by the plan of one large tree in front of number 262 South Street, and suggested that the Commission be shown detailed plans on tree trimming and pole relocation. Mr. Goodrich stated that some placement be required. Ms. Shipes expressed her with RMLD has shown that factors, including the wires, often making pole guarantee of tree preservation or re- belief that past subdivision experience pole placement is dependent upon many curve of the road and stresses upon the placement, inflexible. Once work began, not be able to vary. She stated that, this had been explained in prior subdivisions when questioning why wires often crossed streets several times, and that she believed the same principle would hold true for `,youth Street placements. 1 Ms. Shipes also pointed out that since the street has a long- standing record of no accidents, she {questioned how the proposed alterations could be justified for the sake of public safety, and she questioned the wisdom of changing the road .footprint. Mr. Howard proposed that denial of the plan, and particularly the removed of the tree, could be based on failure to justify the need for such alterations on a public safety basis; and that ap- proval could be granted in any of three directions=: approval of the plan with adequate mitigation, that the road be reconstructed on its existing footprint, and that the road be reconstructed within its existing footprint without derogation of any scenic features. Mr. Stohlman suggested that the Commission would be within its powers to refuse to allow the removal of the tree and to require replacement, of trees dying from the project. Mr. Howard suggested that if the Commission approved the plan with conditions that. forced elements to be different, from pub- lished state standards, the Town could seek an outside engineer to stamp such plans and not force the Town Engineer to stamp plans lie may professionally object to stamping. In response to a question posed by Mr. Barnes, Tree Warden Bud Dickey advised that, replacement, trees should be of at least 2-1/2 to 3-inch calipre. Mr. Stohlman stated that he did not regard the tree in question as significant to the scenic quality of the street. Ms. Shipes stated that no justification of the plan could be made since the public safety record could not support the need for these altera- tions, and she reported that the Police Chief had told her that such alteration was not needed for public safety reasons. She further stated that the neighborhood representatives had been justified in maintaining that the proposed plan could actually decrease traffic safety on the street, by promoting higher speeds as occurs on other, more standardised, sections of South Street. Seconded by Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Howard introduced a motion that the plans as submitted be approved subject to the conditions: 1. that a tree trimming plan showing branches of four-inch diameter or larger be submitted for approval prior to any trimming being Performed, 2. that the tree at number 232 not, be removed, and 3. that should any tree die within two years of the comple- tion of construction such tree shall be replaced as follows: any tree under 24-inch calipre as determined by the Tree Warden; any tree of 24-inch or greater calipre in kind by a 5-inch calipre tree. This motion also contained the following advisories: A. that the Town Engineer should not stamp any plan at. _ _ variance with Professional ethics and the Town should seek alternative means, including the State, to stamp such plans, and B. that Town Meeting has seriously considered South Street, as a scenic road and has voted it so, and as such has en- dorsed the use of Chapter-90 funds on the street. 2 Mr. Goodrich moved the following amendment, seconded by Mr. Stohlman: That condition 2 above be deleted and be replaced so that the tree at number 232 be replaced in kind by four five-inch calipre trees in locations to be determined by the Tree War- den.. After deliberation, the amendment carried by a 3:2 vote, Ms. Shipes and Mr. Howard opposed; and the amended motion carried by a. 4: 1 vote, Ms. Shipes opposed. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING--DEFINITIVE SUBDIVISION PLANS: PAS' STATE ROAD EXTENSION Introduced by Attorney 0. Bradley Latham, Mr. Jay Corey, an en- gineer representing the applicant, presented revised plans to the Commission, featuring revisions to the proposed island and wider pavement around it, lot lines, retention pond, and septic sys- tems. Moreover, Mr. Corey requested a new waiver, that from the requirement for a tree lawn around the cul-de-sac. This revised plan elicited the following comments from the Commission: exist- ing trees, removal of the existing cul-de-sac bulb, limits of work, planting plan, grading, driveway access to existing houses, and evidence as to purported need not to have access to adjoining undeveloped properties all not shown. The Commission voted 5:0 to approve a motion made by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mr. Goodrich, to continue the Public Hearing to 3:00 PM on January 25, 1903. ADJOURNMENT At 11:23 PM a motion was made and seconded to adjourn and the Commission voted unanimously to do so. Respectfully Submitted: p igned"• d and Howard, Approved: January 25, 1993 Date: - }cet~ t ra^ ~.tary 3 'ti lit TO Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street 4f Reading, MA 01867-2683 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FAX: (617) 942-9070 (617) 942-9010 MEMORANDUM To: Catherine Quimby, Town Clerk From: Jonathan Edwards, Clerk p the Community Planning and Development Commission Subj: Decision--Scenic Road Appli ation, South Street Date: January 51 1993 Please be advised that at its meeting of January 4, 1993, the Community Planning and Development Commission voted to APPROVE, in accordance with the Town of Reading Scenic Roads Regulations, - plans submitted for the alteration of South Street between Main and Walnut Streets, subject to the following conditions: 1. A tree trimming plan identifying branches of 4-inch or larger calipre proposed to be cut shall be submitted for ap- proval prior to any tree trimming work being performed. 2. The tree in front of 282 South Street shall.be replaced in kind by four five-inch calipre trees in locations to be determined by the Tree Warden. 3. Should any tree die within two years of the completion of construction, it shall be replaced in kind as follows: any such tree under 24-inch calipre shall be replaced as determined by the Tree Warden; any such tree of 24-inch calipre or greater shall be replaced with a tree of five- inch calipre. In addition, the Commission advises seriously considered South Street as a it so, and as such has endorsed the us this street. cc: VCPDC Board of Selectmen DPW--Engineering Tree Warden that Town Meeting has Scenic Road and has voted e of Chapter-90 funds for