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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-10 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTown of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2683 Phone: (781) 942-9010 Fax: (781) 942-9070 Email: akrieg@dxeading.ma.us Website: www.dreading.ma.us COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING { Monday, May 10, 1999 Selectmen's Hearing Room Reading Town Hall 16 Lowell Street Members Present: Richard Schubert, Chairman; Jonathan Barnes, Secretary; Richard Howard; Neil Sullivan Also present was Joseph Delaney, Town Engineer, and Town Planner, Anne Krieg Meeting was called to order by the Chair at 7:35 PM. Austin Prep Brad Latham, Esq. (BL) spoke on behalf of the school. The school is planning a 150' by 120' gymnasium/auditorium structure to be placed on the existing campus, with additional amenities and a provision for buffering to neighborhood properties. BL presented a conceptual drawing, on file in the Community Development office, showing the location of the structure. BL made a formal request for a waiver from site plan for the following reasons: 1. The use is exempt as provided for under Massachusetts General Laws; 2. The existing population of the school is not changing from the existing 625 students with the construction of this building; 3. Adequate buffering is being planned and designed for with the placement of the building; 4. Communication has been forwarded to abutters directly from the school with little response. The Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC, the Commission) , responded in consensus a public hearing is warranted and necessary because of the traffic and parking impacts from this facility into the neighborhoods, and to provide an opportunity for the abutters to participate in the planning of the facility. A waiver from the_application _fee, with exception to_abutter, notification and the legal advertisement costs, _ was granted. The application is anticipated to be filed in May or June of 1999. C:\My Docume ts\CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\5.10.99 mtnutes.doc Last printed 06/10/99 10:32 AM ak Town of Wading Community Planning and Dcvclopmcnt Commission Public Comment Robert Brown appeared before the Commission to discuss his concerns on "mansionization". His points included the dissatisfaction with large homes constructed on relatively small lots, using the examples of planned homes for Mill Street, and homes on Roma Lane. Dick Howard (DH) requested for staff to prepare a zoning response for their review in anticipation of a Fall 1999 Town Meeting. Deer Run Definitive Subdivision Jonathan Barnes (JB) read the legal advertisement form the Daily Chronicle. The Chair introduced the CPDC members and staff. BL, representing the applicants introduced the project application, on file in the Community Development office. He also accepted the memorandum of comments from the Town Engineer, the Development Review team, and the Historic Commission, also on file in the Community Development office. Joe Delaney (JD) reviewed his comments, updating them after further review and discussion. His comments included: 1. The grading plan shows runoff from Haverhill Street into the project site, which should be changed; 2. A concern regarding the requirement of sight easements and provision for adequate sight distance; 3. The requirement for submitting drainage calculations for the 2, 10 and 100 year storm events. Anne Krieg (AK) centered staff comments on the sight easement and providing an island in the cul-de-sac. She focused on the comments from the Historic Commission. Virginia Adams (VA) of 59 Azalea Circle, Chair of the Reading Historic Commission, reviewed the comments of the Historic Commission with the CPDC. Discussion ensued specifically as to how to provide for protection of the house foundation in light of the location of the sewer line. It was agreed to by the Town Engineer and the applicant to increase the angle of the sewer line coming off of Haverhill Street to the project site, and to provide the necessary reinforcement of the trench area during construction to prevent slippage. The applicant agreed to cooperate with the Historic Commission to access the site before construction to ascertain possible archeological areas. AK expressed concern about the conservation issues, if the resource area boundary is consistent with the planned previously submitted to the Conservation Commission (Con Com), and of the required upland provision for Lot 3. Lot 3, according to the applicant, -.--.-suffices this requirement. Nancy Eaton, Chair of the Con Com, expressed concerns about the resource area boundary and encouraged the applicant to apply to them soon. Minutes for Meeting dated May 10, 1999 Page 2 of 4 Town of Rcading Community Planning and Dcvclopmcat Commission Prior to granting a continuance, the CPDC discussed the requested waivers. Consensus was reached, after lengthy discussion and dissection on policy issues relating to waivers, on the following: 1. Sidewalk on one side - yes 2. Width of roadway pavement to be 24- yes 3. Traffic Study - no, one has to be prepared by the applicant 4. Environmental Impact Report - no, one has to be prepared by the applicant Bill Bryce of 389 Haverhill Street expressed concerns about possible changes to the water table, and stormwater runoff to his property from the construction of the roadway. Dick Howard (DH) made the motion to continue the public bearing to 8:00 PM May 24`h, seconded by JB. All in favor. Executive Session At 9:15 PM, JB made the motion for the CPDC to go into Executive Session to discuss the litigation surrounding the Marion Road Definitive Subdivision, previously denied by the CPDC. Motion seconded by DH. All in favor. CPDC returned from Executive Session at 10:00 PM. St. Athanasius JB read the legal advertisement from the Daily Chronicle. The Chair disclosed he is a member of this parish and has made a contribution to the fundraising efforts related to the proposed construction of the Parish Center on this parcel. Rev. Tom Connolly discussed the application on file in the Community Development office. He explained the need for the Parish Center is to provide educational instruction and services for the 2,000 families belonging to the Parish. The project has been reviewed by the Con Com. AK's comments centered on the provision for parking, for which there are no standards in the By-Law, so it is the discretion of the CPDC. JD's commented no additional stormwater runoff will occur with the construction of the building, since it is located on existing impervious surface. The CPDC, under comments from DH, discussed the adequacy and safety of pedestrian access on the site, moving from the parking area to the building and moving from the church to the building. The location choice for the structure was discussed as well. There was also discussion and comments the coordination of parking/pedestrian access with this site and the adjacent school, as well as dumpster location. Minutes for Meeting dated May 10, 1999 Page 3 of 4 Town of Wading Community Planning and Dcvclopmcat Commission The architect for the applicant discussed the building location blocking the parking lot behind it, as well as provisions for fencing and landscaping to buffer the abutter. He has made no changes to on-site lighting, with exception to low-level bollard lighting on the walkway. It was requested for the AK to review the landscaping directly with the applicant prior to construction as part of the conditions of approval for the project. Motion to close the public bearing was made by DH, seconded by jB. All is favor. We, the CPDC, as requested by the Archdiocese of Boston, under the provisions of the Reading Zoning by-laws, to approve the construction ofa Parish Center at 306 Haverbill Street, do hereby vote: to approve the set ofplans entitled "Site Plan for the Saint Atbanasius Parish Center in Reading, Massachusetts prepared for Architectural Design Concepts" showing a revision date of April 12, 1999, prepared and stamped by Christiansen & Sergi oflfaverbiff Massachusetts This approval is conditioned upon the favorable review oflandscaping provisions by the Town Planner prior to the issuance of a bu-M,agpermit, with a final inspection ofinstallation prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit. Motion made by DM, seconded by Neil Sullivan (NS). All in fa vor. JD introduced the request for a reduction in the tri-party agreement for Sunset Rock Lane. He is recommending the CPDC release $ 5 5,000 to reduce the amount to $125,000. We, the Community Planning and Development Commission under the authority of 9.5 of the Subdivision Rules and Regulations in Reading, Massachusetts, upon the request by Presidential Development Corporation to reduce the tri party agreement account in the amount of S130,500. 00 currently being held for the construction of ways and provisions of utilities and amenities for the Definitive Subdivision known as Sunset Rock Lane, do hereby vote; to reduce the above-noted tri party agreement currently being held to 5125, 000.00. This action is based upon the recommendations by the Town Engineer dated May 10, 1999. Motion made by DM, seconded by JB. All in fa vor. Discussion with staff continued regarding items from the Narrative, on file in the Community Development office. Motion to adjourn made by DH, seconded by NS. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 11:00 PM Respectively submitted to the CPDC by the Town Planner, Anne Krieg on . . Approved by the CPDC Secretary ~m qn, Jonathan E. Barnes, Secretary Date Minutes for Meeting dated May 10, 1999 Page 4 of 4