HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-08-21 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTOWN OF READING
16 Lowell Street l
Reading, MA 01867-2683
Phone: 781-942-9012
Fax: 781-942-9071
Email: akrieg&i.readin .ma.us
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
CPDC MINUTES
Meeting Dated.• August2l, 2000
Members Present. Nell Sullivan, Chairman (NS); Richard Howard (RH): Michael
Flammia (MF)
Also Present..- Anne Krieg, Town Planner (AK), Russell Dean, and Assistant
Town Manager
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:45 PM.
ZONING PUBLIC HEAR-iNG -AMENDMENT-S-TO T-HE-PLA-iNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT
A vote was unanimously taken to dispense with reading of the legal
advertisement.
AK reviewed language proposed for September 11, 2000 Special Town Meeting.
RD provided an update on the progress of the project.
Brad Latham, Esq. representing the interests of Dickinson Development noted
full support of the changes
Precinct 3 Town Meeting member, Brian Hotchkins question lighting and
proposed minor technical edits for the Commissions deliberation.
Precinct 6 Town Meeting member Bill Brown questioned how fast foods would
be regulated.
RHmade a motion to close the hearing. Seconded byMF. All in favor.
RHMoved to forward the heard articles with minor editions to Town Meeting
with a favorable recommendation. Seconded bvMF
C:\My Documents\CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\8.21.00 Minutes.doc
Last printed 08/23/0010:38 PM
Created by Anne Krieg
Created on 08/23/00 9:43 PM
TOWN OF READING
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Minutes for Meeting dated. August21,2000
CDBG GRANT PUBLIC HEARING
RH read legal advertisement into record.
PARKER STREET LOT
Tim Kelly of the Reading Housing Authority discussed options of moving the
building to accommodate more parking and assist in their rehabilitation of the
project. He indicated the Authority's desire to continue working with the Town
on specific lot configuration.
Bert Russell of the Downtown Steering Committee discussed the future
possibility of decked parking at this location, entering at a second level on
Pleasant Street and exiting at the lower level on Parker Street. Staff indicated this
may be a future second phase to the project.
Kathy Greenfield, Town Meeting member and member of the Downtown
Steering Committee expressed concern if DHCD would consider both projects as
competing. Staff indicated DHCD staff reviews the applications separately and
only considers the whole as a figure not to exceed $600,000.00.
RS discussed how the parking would be administered. Final options would
require work with the Selectmen.
Lois Bond, Director of Senior Services reviewed programming uses of the facility,
including employee parking needs and the added benefit.
An abutter to the project expressed interest in overnight parking storage for the
residential properties in the downtown area, some of which do not have
driveways. Future public involvement scenarios were discussed.
Tom O'Connor a business owner in the downtown discussed administration of
the parking allocation.
601 MAIN STREET
AK presented the history of the Town's blight district, pointing to the re-
development projects that have occurred and the work remaining.
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TOWN OF READING
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Minutes for Meeting dated.- August21, 2000
Phil Vaccarro, owner of the building, reviewed the project components and
previous work on the building. New tenants have invested $200,000 on the
northern side of the building, he noted, and he would like to match their work on
the south side of the building. The south side f the building, further, is most
visible in the downtown corner. He indicated difficulties in obtaining tenants
due to the lack of exhaust relief from the existing restaurant. Other work he
reviewed was moving dumpsters, and making the first floor tenants accessible.
NS questioned if other areas apart of the blight district could apply for funds.
Staff indicated if there was interest to contact Community Development.
Peg Plansky, Director of the Reading Housing Authority discussed the tenets of
the Executive Order.
AK reviewed the draft of the housing certification plan to be filed with the
application.
Virginia Adams of the Reading Historic Commission and the Downtown
Steering Committee was favorable to the project seeking funding. She requested
for future public review to include design review.
RHmoved to close the publichearing. MFseconded. All in favor.
RHmoved to recommend the submission of both grants to DHCD, and to fully
support and endorse their funding. CPDC will act as the agency to perform site
plan reviewfor both projects, as well as to participate in allocation system for the
parking spaces. He further motioned the Historic Commission to be a
participant in the design review of the project at 601 Main Street. Motion
seconded byMF. All in favor.
AK reviewed the new elementary school letter from Sid Bowen, architect from
Earl Flansburgh and Associates. She indicated the project could come back
before the Commission on September 25f, 2000.
RH presented his Q & A notes on School Committee meeting with neighbors in
June 2000. He expressed concern with the schedule, that the school may be
further developed during this lengthy interim period.
RH
Committee expressing the above noted comments
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TOWN OF READING
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MinutesforMeetingdated.Augast21, 2000
ADD15ON WESLEY/TAMBONE AMENDMENT
AK presented language prepared by Pearson Team to address a non-conforming
setback created when a taking of property occurs.
Mark Favaloro, Esq. representing the interests of Pearson Education, discussed
history behind the requested amendment.
RHmoved to recommend the language to the Board of Selectmen to commence
the zoning enactment process
AK discussed further non-conforming situations, including mansionization.
RH recommended for AK to prepare a report to Town Meeting at the Subsequent
Town Meeting in November on the work regarding controlling mansionization. -
RH also discussed changes to the Aquifer Protection District and the changes to
Site Plan to be done for Spring 2001.
Motion byRHto adjourn at 10.05p.m. Seconded byW.. All in favor.
These minutes were prepared by Anne Krieg, Town Planner on August 23, 2000.
Signed as witness to proceedings:
Anne M. Krieg, T
Date
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