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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-02-24 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTOWN OF READING 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2683 Phone: 781-942-9012 - Fax: 781-942-9071 Email: a1krrieg@ci.reading.ma.us COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION CPDC MINUTES MeetingDated.• February24, 2000 Members Present. Jonathan Barnes, Chairman (JB), Neil Sullivan, Secretary (NS); Richard Schubert (RS); Michael Flammia (MF), Richard Howard (RH) Also Present. Joseph Delaney, Town Engineer (JD), Anne Krieg, Town Planner (AK), Karen DeFrancesco, Conservation. Administrator (KD) Others: Reading Conservation Commission members The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM. MILL STREET SCENIC WAY MODIFICATION LAND USE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR MARION WOODS CONSERVATION AREA RH read the legal advertisement aloud. JD presented the Mill Street sewer project as filed. KD agreed with the town's approach to controlling construction practice. There was discussion on the necessity for clearance of trees, using snow fence to protect wetland areas. JD noted the following as issues under the guise of scenic way review: Stonewalls modification - remove and replace if necessary Manhole cover changes No necessity for tree removal within the way Possible modification outside the right of way for locating sewer laterals to residential structures C:\My Documents\CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\2.24.00 minutes.doc Last printed 06/27/00 3:59 PM Created by Anne Krieg Created on 06/08/00 9:30 PM TOWN OF READING COMMUNPTY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MinutesforMeetingdated: February24,2000 Easement negotiation current with owners to bring sewer across private property Roadway operations including traffic management were discussed. Coordination with North Reading DPW will be necessary. The Commission requested all walls to be documented in advance of their disturbance, and further if laterals require significant tree removal, that would be reviewed by the Commission. The layout and location of the parking lot was discussed as well as hours of construction to typical Town standards. Nancy Eaton of the Conservation Commission then presented the land management plan for Marion Woods. Rules for passive recreation were discussed as well as continuing discussion on the parking lot. Staff remarked there will be a buffer to the private property owner abutting the parking lot and once a survey is complete of the boundary, the Town will coordinate work with the owner. No trees are anticipated for removal for the parking lot with exception of scrub brush. It was further noted if the parking lot were to be located on the recently purchased Marion Woods site, more clearing would be necessary which would include prominent wetland resource areas. A trail is planned leading to the site from the lot. The delineation of the path was discussed, including the possible provision of future signage and the existing poison ivy removal. The parking lot continued to be discussed as to the necessity of paving and winter care. Outreach regarding the availability of open space in the Town was discussed. RHmoved t close the public hearing on the land management plan. Seconded by RS. All in favor. RSmoved to support the Land ManagementPlan for the Marion Woods conservation area. Seconded by MP. All m favor. The__Commission resumed their discussions on theMill Street sewer project. The - - - Conservation Commission issued an Order of Conditions for the project. Page 2 of 5 TOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MinutesforMeetingdated: Febmary24,2000 RHmade a motion to approved the work within the scenic way of Mill Street in order to construct a sewer line, subject to the following conditions. 1. No trees shall be removed due to sewer laterals or mains withoutnotice to the Commission. 2 There shall be an avoidance from removing the existing 8" caliper oak tree. 3. The specification for the project shall reflect all walls to be re-constructed to appear as they do currently. 4. All walls shall be photographed if proposed for disturbance. 5 Hours of operation and public safety shall conform to DPW and Subdivision Rules and regulations standards. 6 If revisions are necessary to the filed plans, they shall be reviewed in a hearing by the Commission. MFseconded. R5 requested the motion be amended to include. 7 For 75Mi11 Street - buffering work shall be provided after further consultation with the owner Both RHand MFagreed to the amendment. JD remarked there will be tree removal off of the way within the easement up to Short Street. This easement is a private easement to allow for a more efficient crossing of the sewer line. The appropriateness for Commission review of work within this easement in relation to the Scenic Way By-Law was discussed at length. RHmoved to table action "on the motion to the CPDChearing dated March 6, 2000 at 730 PM. Seconded by MF. All in fa vor. The Commission took a recess. Page 3 of 5 TOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MinutesforMeetingdated.• Febmary24,2000 NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NS read the legal advertisement. The Chairman noted to the public this process was voluntary on the part of the School Committee/ Department. He further explained the tenets of site plan review the Commission typically deliberates upon, and introduced Commission members and staff. The Commission members all noted gratitude to the School Committee for enlisting the CPDC's review. Sid Bowen of Earl Flansburgh and Associates (SB) presented the plan and the review process to date. This review process has included staff review. He indicated the site plan decisions have been based upon access issues and existing wetland areas. RS questioned issues of parking in terms of buffering to the neighboring properties, pedestrian issues, and emergency access issues. Possible ancillary improvements to Franklin Street, future expansion needs for the school, and the locations for crossing guards were also discussed. AK read a letter submitted by Presidential Development to the Commission as filed. The Chairman opened the floor to public comment. Mike McAffrey of 38 Emerson Street remarked the houses in that neighborhood were in existence prior to the demarcation of the land as a future school site. He stated he felt the school will have a negative impact, citing and discussing three components: buffering, fencing and smoke stacks. Nancy Eaton of the Conservation Commission questioned when the applicant intended to file with them and what plans were available for stormwater management. Members of the Town Forest Committee expressed concern as to their access of Sunset Rock to the Town Forest. The resident at 54 Roma lane discussed the usage of Fox Run and not Roma Lane. Page 4 of 5 TOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MmutesforMeetingdated.• Febmary24,2000 SB spoke at English on the decision to utilize Sunset Rock to Roma Lane. This included the population projects for the neighborhoods, minimal pavement to connect the roadways, minimize queuing onto neighborhood's ways, grading/drainage/wetlands in the vicinity of Fox Run, and the topography of the site in the areas. AK read a letter filed with the Commission and the School Department from Town Counsel indicating adequate access is available to the site from Sunset Rock. Don Johnson of Roma Lane questioned further the access issues, felt strongly the site plan was not an efficient use of the land, and requested more recreational spaces. Construction routes were discussed as well as recreational field needs. Selectmen George Hines spoke of safety issues regarding fencing pedestrian and vehicular, as well as further reviews of the recreational facilities planned for the site. Issues with previous alignment of Old Sanborn Lane, the review of the State for funding of schools, and the schedule of planning and construction were noted. The Commission reached consensus on the issues discussed to be compiled in a written letter to the School Committee with a request to return to the Commission at the next level of design drawing preparation. Motion to adjourn at 11:25PM, made byW seconded by NS. All in favor. These minutes were prepared by Anne Krieg, Town Planner, and submitted to the CPDC on June 9, 2000. Minutes were approved by the CPDC on June 12, 2000. Signed as witnessed as approved: M. Krieg, Town P1ar)Aer Date Page 5 of 5