HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-06-22 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTOWN OF READING
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MINUTES JUNE 22, 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 June
22, 1992. In attendance were Nancy Shipes, Chair, and Members
William Goodrich and Thomas Stohlman. Also present was Town En-
gineer William Robertson. The meeting was called to order at
7:38 PM.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
The minutes of the Commission's meeting of June 8, 1992 were
amended and accepted.
BATCHELDER ESTATES CONSTRUCTION
Ms. Shipes opened a discussion for update on the progress made to
date on several issues in connection with the construction of the
Batchelder Estates Subdivision. The developer, Mr. Murray,
stated that the stone wall adjacent to the Hurford property has
been installed in accordance with the subdivision plans and that
in addition he has installed a rounding at the Hurford's
driveway. Mr. Hurford stated that the wall is one or two feet
too short from what was shown on the plans. Mr. Murray said that
to go higher would necessitate a fence, since the wall would be
over four feet high. He also stated that he had recently been
informed of a problem with the manhole height, that it would need
to be extended higher (item #2 on. Mr. Robertson's memo), and in
response to a question from Mr. Robertson, stated that he wanted
to wait until the next meeting to resolve the issue of the slope
in that area as he intended to backfill the wall on the following
day and will pick up loose boulders in the roadway, and that he
has no problem with item #3 on that memo. Mr. Robertson sug-
gested a site visit, and Ms. Shipes offered to arrange one. Un-
resolved issues remained: responsibility for maintenance of the
wall (on Hurford property but within slope easement), permission
to move curb--cut, and wall height. Ms. Shipes directed that this
matter be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.
Mr. Barnes joined the quorum at 8:43 PM.
SITE PLAN WAIVER: 490 MAIN STREET
In response to a letter from the owner stating that he had re-
stored the building to its previous use and removed retail use,
Mr. Stohlman moved, seconded by Mr. Barnes, that the Commission
acknowledge receipt of the letter dated June 16, 1992 and for--
ally honor the wish of the applicant to en the proceeding for
Site Plan Waiver. The Commission voted 4:0 to approve this mo-
tion.
MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
The Commission decided that at its next meeting it would estab--
lish subcommittees and prioritize zoning amendments for the Fall
Town Meeting.
PUD: Mr. Goodrich stated that he had attended a seminar on at-
tracting biotechnology companies to communities, hosted by the
president of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Research Institute.
Over 20 percent of all biotech industry is located in this state,
but nothing has been done to retain this industry, which is being
actively courted by other states. Towns need to be more proac-
tive in attracting these industries, through such means as
negiotable taxation, state tax and local property tax incentives,
and use of public lands. These industries prefer to locate in
municipalities with defined regulations, desire local governmen-
tal and neighborhood support, and will do an educational process
for public understanding. Mr. Goodrich suggested that we contact
Worcester for a model of local by-laws on this matter that could
be used for amending the PUD Overlay Zoning By--Law.
PRD: In pursuit of Action Strategies of the Master Plan, the Com-
mission addressed creating a Planned Residential Development by-
law to take to Fall Town Meeting. In this regard, Mr. Curt
Nitzsche spoke with the Commission about his desire to develop a
Planned Residential Development on his 15---acre property {zoned
5-20 and 5-40} on Haverhill Street. He said that this could
enable him to provide affordable housing for young families with
a combination of rental and home--ownership, that he would need
the cooperation of the Board of Assessors in a favorable assess-
ment of property value, and that he is looking for a Colonial-
type design. The Commission received these ideas favorably, and
decided to set up a PRD Subcommittee which would include Mr.
Nitzsche and a member of the Housing Partnership, which was rep-
resented at this meeting by Adrienne McMahon, Chair.
Lot Ehape: The Commission discussed the "circle" concept to con-
trol lot width, and the desire to figure out the smallest
diameter that would fit on the inside curve of most curved
streets, allowing for lot-shape flexibility but to eliminate
flagpole and porkchop lots. Relevant regulatory sections would
include Section B#5 of the Subdivision Regulations. Ms. Shipes
and Mr. Barnes agreed to serve on a Lot Shape Subcommittee.
ADJOURNMENT
At. 10:00 PM a motion was made and seconded to adjourn and the
Commission voted unanimously to do so.
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Respectfully Submitted: Approved: August 1992
S igned _ ~xr~r C Date: t o~z~t Barnes, J Secretary
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