HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-12-14 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTOWN OF READING
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 14, 1992
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
December 14, 1992. In attendance were Jonathan Barnes, Chair;
Richard Howard, Commission Secretary; and Members Nancy Shipes
and Thomas Stohlman. Also present was Town Engineer William
Robertson. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
The minutes of the Commission's meeting of December 7, 1992 were
amended and accepted.
LOT RELEASE--DUCK ROAD
Upon recommendation by the Town Engineer, the Commission voted
4:0 to approve a motion made by Ms. Shipes and seconded by Mr.
Howard to execute a Lot Release from Covenant Restrictions for
all lots in the Duck Road subdivision.
COMBINED PUBLIC HEARING: SCENIC ROAD & SHADE TREE: SOUTH STREET
At 8:00 PM Mr. Barnes called to order a combined public hearing
to consider an application by the Town of Reading under the
Scenic Roads By-Law and under Massachusetts Shade Tree Law con-
cerning proposed alterations to that portion of South Street, be-
tween Main and Walnut Streets, which has been designated by Town.
Meeting as a Scenic Road. Mr. Bud Dickey, Tree Warden, also
presided over this public hearing along with the Commission.
Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, on behalf of the applicant,
the Board of Selectmen acting as Road Commissioners, presented
with assistance from Mr. Robertson, the proposed plans for al-
terations on South Street. He stated that these plans were con-
siderably scaled back from the preliminary plans originally dis-
cussed with the Commission in the Spring of 1992. The plans now
featured a uniform pavement width of twenty feet (altered from
its existing variable width ranging between 16 and 24 feet), nar-
row finished pavement edges, no sidewalks, some pole relocation,
and attendent drainage work. This plan would not affect any
stone walls but would necessitate the removal of one large tree,
on the north side in front of 282 South Street. The Town Manager
presented a justification of these proposed alterations within
the criteria set forth by the Scenic Roads regulations, emphasis-
to accommodate traffic in a safe manner,) and to correct drainage
problems.
The Commission then solicited comments from the public in atten-
dance. In response to questions asked by Mr. Begonis, Mr. Dickey
stated that the tree in question was not in a hazardous condition
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and could survive for another 25 to 50 years; Mr. Robertson
stated that this would be the only tree taken and that the plan
would not threaten the others. In response to questions asked by
Mr. Weimar, Mr. Robertson stated that the proposed roadway will
not. jeopardize the stone wall. near Walnut Street, that some
utility poles will be moved back and that this would mean sig-
nificant tree trimming for the wires.
Other comments and responses concerned the following:
Town Manager: all residents within 300 feet were notified;
Heather Drive intersection is too large for good definition and
would be reduced; a stop sign is proposed at Walnut Street but no
signs prohibiting through traffic during peak hours; that, despite
no history of accidents, a narrow point in the road which would
result from saving the tree would become a traffic hazard.
Mr. Robertson: the Town would have to return federal money used
in signalizing Main and South if no entry is allowed into South.
Mr. McCarthy: the proposed plan would increase traffic speed.
Mr. Dickey in response to Mrs. Adams: adverse grade changes near
tree roots may be mitigated through the use of matting, although
this technique is expensive and relatively untested.
Mr. Robertson: 14 or 15 trees would receive the matting; sub-
surafce drain pipes are in decent condition, but the catch basins
need considerable rebuilding to improve drainage.
Mr. Dickey: drainage work should include tunnelling the tree
roots with terracotta piping.
Town Manager in response to Messrs. Howard and Locke: project
would be fully funded by Chapter-90 for these plans; less than
standard design may reduce funding proportions necessitating Town
expense, and the Town Engineer will not draw or stamp plans at
less than standard, although he would not be personally liable;
Town's liability is limited by State Law.
Mr. Howard; Senator Tisei's memo indicates full Chapter-90 fund-
ing even if designed below published standards.
Mr. Robertson explained in some detail the published State stan-
dards utilized for this plan based on type of road and traffic
volume.
Ms. Shipes: twenty-foot width includes the crown; if the Town En-
gineer will not stamp non-standard plans, perhaps State would.
At this point Town Planner Jonathan Edwards joined the meeting.
Mr. Begonis then expressed several summary concerns: the tree is
important to the scenic quality of the road; the current road
footprint should be preserved; much tree pruning would be needed
if poles have to be relocated; proposed design would encourage
higher traffic volumes and speeds and would thus reduce public
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fic control; Town. Meeting, the Fire Chief, and the Police Chief
oppose major reconfiguration or widening of the street.
Ms. Shipes: accident history reveals no accidents on this part of
South Street, but several, particularly backing--out-of-driveway,
accidents on newer, wider sections of South Street.
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Mr. Barnes: the variable width, meandering nature of the road is
an important part of the scenic character of the street.
Mr. Weimar: Scenic roads have become an endangered species in
eastern Massachusetts in the face of accommodating traffic
demands; State standards predate scenic roads concepts and
reflect a philosophy of traffic accommodation which is opposed to
scenic and neighborhood safety needs; this decision will set a
precedent for other scenic roads in the Town and perhaps else-
where; the neighborhood as a preferable alternative proposes that
only the existing footprint be paved, that there be no sidewalks,
that "No Through Traffic" signs be posted at either end and warn-
ing signs alerting to narrower sections be posted, and that, a
25-MPH speed limit, be set.
Mr. Hechenbleikner summed up the positive features of the
proposed plan and elaborated on the compliance of these plans
with both the Scenic Roads criteria and the Town°s Master Plan;
in response to a question, he stated that if these plans were not
approved, the Chapter-90 money proposed for South Street would be
utilized in meeting other Town road needs.
The Commission then voted 4:0 to approve a motion made by Ms.
Shipes, seconded by Mr. Howard, to close the Public Hearing.
After Messrs. Barnes and Hechenbleikner executed an agreement ex-
tending the time limit for a decision to January 6, 1993, the
Commission instructed Mr. Edwards to place the matter on its
agenda of January 4, :1993 at 6:00 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
At 10:44 PM a motion was made and seconded to adjourn and the
Commission voted unanimously to do so.
Respectfully Submitte : Approved: January 4, 1993
Signed. Date: Z
c yard Howard, Secretary