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Home My WebLink About1999-06-14 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesMINUTES REGULAR MEETING Monday, June- 14, 1999 Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2683 Phone: (781) 942-9010 Fax: (781) 942-9070 Email: a1krieg@dreading.ma.us Website: www.dreading.ma us COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING COMMISSION Selectmen's Hearing Room Reading Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Members Present: Richard Schubert (RS), Chairman; Jonathan Barnes (J, Secretary; Richard Howard (RH); Neil Sullivan (NS) Also present was Anne Krieg (AK), Town Planner, and Joe Delaney (JD), Town Engineer. Meeting was called to order by the Chair at 7:3 5 PM. Minutes to the meeting for May 24, 1999 were approved witb minor edits by a motion made by RH, seconded by NS. All in favor. The Chair congratulated Michael Flammia and Neil Sullivan on their recent re- appointments by the Board of Selectmen. AK discussed the possibility of controls on fencing in the Zoning By-Law. There was a concern by some members this may be an over-regulation of personal property. There was consensus, however, this issue does have a safety consideration as to sight distance for certain properties. The members also briefly discussed vegetation along frontage and at corners. The issues regarding this governance discussed were: new lots created/existing lots, enforcement issues (fencing does not require a building permit for under six feet (6'), retroactive questions. Staff' was directed by the CPDC to investigate how other communities control the use, and bring possible options to the CPDC. AK and CPDC members discussed the proper process for zoning, enactment. The process agreed upon was to first have a zoning workshop, prior to sending language to the Selectmen to commence the zoning enactment process by statute. Significant outreach should occur for both the workshop and the hearing to include ZBA, all Town Meeting members, neighborhood groups/abutters, and the Selectmen. AK expressed strict conformance to having the hearing prior to the close of the warrant. The top three zoning initiatives for a Fall Town Meeting were: mansionization, site plan review and fencing. Town Planner affidavit was circulated to the members. C:\My Documents\CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\6.14.99 minutes.doc last printed 06/23/99 4:40 PM A Town of Rcading Community Planning and Development Commission DEER RUN DEFINITIVE SUBDIVISION ~f CONTINUATION OF A PUBLIC HEARING Brad Latham, representing the interests of the owner, presented the changes from the May 10, 1999 meeting in order to update all members present. There was discussion on the naming of the street. After considerable discussion, it was agreed upon the street name to be Timothy's Place, pending review by the Fire and Police Departments. The CPDC also noted there should be a procedure for street naming. JD reviewed his comments with the CPDC, attached hereto as an exhibit to these minutes. Virginia Adams, Chair of the Reading Historic Commission, discussed limiting vegetation removal along the front of the existing residence, as it is in keeping with the historic nature of the property. Members of the Commission have visited the site, and remain committed to having staff present at the excavation of the roadway. The members in relation to the vegetation existing on the property discussed sight distance. The traffic study was also discussed. Bill Grace of 3 8 9 Haverhill Street discussed the historic significance of the area. Virginia Adams requested the existing house to maintain its address on Haverhill Street, even though the house faces south. A letter will be sent to the Assessors office confirming this. The CPDC requested the drawings be further revised to show the driveway opening to the adjacent lot to the development for future connection approval. DHmodoned to close the pubWe bearing, seconded by JB. All in favor. AK reviewed the draft decision with the CPDC. There remained a lack of consensus on the granting of waivers for the project. After considerable discussion, posting of the decision was tabled to the CPDC meeting June 28, 1999. Also slated for this meeting is a discussion of a waiver policy for the CPDC. INFORMAL DISCUSSION PARKING BY SPECIAL MMIT IN THE S-15 ZONE Brad Latham, representing the interests of the landowner of property at REURMV building, presented language to the Commission for discussion. AK presented comments related to a caution for spot zoning. CPDC members brought up the following issues: • Public acceptance of option • Loosening regulations without opening use up to other areas • Change to the highest and best use of property in terms of zoning • Permit allows for conflicting land uses and encroachment into residential areas • Zoning District Method? Minutes for Meeting dated June 14, 1999 Page 2 of 4 Town of Wading Community Planning and Dcvclopmcnt Commission CPDC directed staff to: ♦ Continue to work with applicant ♦ Look at a district approach ♦ Look to the Town's Master Plan INFORMAL DISCUSSION WALNUT STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT - SCENIC ROAD AK updated to the Commission as to the progress of the project and intimated the details of events leading from the CPDC meeting May 24, 1999. JD discussed the technical decisions surrounding the installation of curbing on Walnut Street in the vicinity of Holly Road CPDC members discussed appropriate process, and expressed concern the work was done prior to a review by CPDC after the May 24 meeting. Given the information received at the May 24 meeting, the CPDC generally felt a proper process was conducted. The Chair opened up the floor for public comment: Dan Salls of 50 Walnut Street expressed a concern the work was not in keeping with the meaning of a scenic road. He also was concerned with the process for the design changes. Brad Fuller of 169 Walnut Street is concerned with the lack of continuity of a rural road with the placement of "urban" curbing along Walnut Street. He also expressed concern regarding the drainage design and construction practice adjacent to gas mains. Joanne Fuller of 169 Walnut Street is concerned the communication of the design change was not explanatory as to the extent of the changes. She also requested the appropriate paperwork for the designation of a scenic way be accomplished. The resident at 149 Walnut Street questioned if errors were made and to name a responsible party for blame. JD responded with exception to the curbing announced in his communication May 24, 1999, all other curbing on Walnut Street was approved in the original submittal. All curbing proposed for the project is installed, no further installation is necessary. Mark Favolaro, representing the interests of the Walnut Street Neighborhood Association, requested a public hearing be conducted with a cease on all work on Walnut Street until after the pubic hearing occurs. JD responded the remaining work includes raising drainage structures, installation of top course of bituminous paving, and loam/seeding along grass portion of right of way. General construction clean up is also remaining. After considerable discussion by CPDC members, CPDC achieved consensus to: Conduct a site visit on Saturday, June 19 at 9:00 AM commencing at the Hopkins Street Minutes for Meeting dated June 14, 1999 Page 3 of 4 Town of Rcading Community Planning and Dcvclopmcnt Commission Schedule a public hearing for Thursday, July 1 at 7:30 PM to discuss changes to the design. Confirm no field changes shall be allowed until after discussion at the July 1 hearing. Forward a letter from the CPDC to the Selectmen updating them on the administration of the project. Motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:15 PMmade by NS, seconded by RH. Allln favor. Respectively submitted to the CPDC by the Town Planner, Anne Krieg on June 28, 1999 Approved by the CPDC Secretary Jonathan E. Barnes, Secretary Date Minutes for Mating dated June 14, 1999 Page 4 of 4