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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-02-22 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutes TOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION . MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 22, 1999 i 1. ' ` P p 22 A meeting of the Community Planning and Development Commission of the Town of Reading was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room in Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street in Reading, Massachusetts on February 22, 1999. In attendance were Chairman Richard Schubert, Neil Sullivan, Richard Howard and Michael Flammia. Secretary to the Commission Jonathan Barnes was not in attendance. Also present were Town Engineer Joe Delaney and Clerk to the Commission Joe Connelly. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM. MINUTES Mr. Schubert and the Commission amended the minutes of the February 8, 1999 meeting. The Commission amended the Executive Session minutes of February 8, 1999. Mr. Howard motioned to approve the minutes of the February 8, 1999 meeting as amended, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, motion approved 4-0. Mr. Howard motioned to approve the minutes of the February 8, 1999 Executive Session as amended, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, motion approved 4-0. MISCELLANEOUS Mr. Howard updated the Commission on the Ad Hoc Water Committee. Mr. Connelly reviewed future Site Plan requests for 15 Pierce Street and 1337 Main Street. Mr. Schubert reviewed the meeting with the Downtown Steering Committee. Mr. Howard made reference to the open space/recreation area at the rear of the Spence Farm property. The Commission discussed how access and parking would be handled at the site. SITE PLAN DISCUSSION: GET IY STATION 306 MAIN STREET Attorney Phil Lombardo and Engineer Jim Giarrusso reviewed the proposed Site Plan. Attorney Lombardo reviewed the following: existing building, placement of new building, canopy, request for variance for set- backs. Mr. Howard asked the applicant to examine the Rt. 28 Mobile Station on North Main Street. Mr. Howard asked the applicant to look at the sign on the curb, style of the canopy, and landscaping design. Mr. Howard and Mr. Giarrusso discussed the potential for having one entrance instead of two. Mr. Delaney pointed out the Town's desire to reduce the number of curb cuts in the downtown area Mr. Howard and Mr. Giarrusso discussed the proposed signage and its compliance with the current zoning by-laws. Mr. Schubert questioned the placement of the existing kiosk compared to the newly proposed building. Mr. Howard inquired about the placement of a dumpster on site. Commission member Jonathan Barnes entered the meeting at 8:25 PM. Attorney Lombardo and Mr. Giarrusso thanked the Commission for their input and exited the meeting. DISCUSSION ON MARRIOTT ASSISTED LIVING PORPOSAL Attorney Mark Favaloro presented a status report regarding the negotiations between Marriott and the Reading Housing Authority. Attorney Favaloro commented that both parties were approximately $900,000 apart. Attorney Favaloro discussed the wording of the current by-law. a. Add a new subsection 4.3.1.4.k. which shall read as follows: "k. There shall be provided in perpetuity on site or off-site, in a manner acceptable to the Reading Housing Authority, a minimum allocation of ten percent of the total units, unless otherwise regulated, relative to the development, which total units shall be affordable to very-low-income, low-income, and moderate-income families and/or elderly households as determined by the most recent calculations of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Boston Metropolitan Region and/or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Housing and Community Development. If acceptable to the Reading Housing Authority, this requirement may be satisfied by the payment to the Town or an agency thereof a monetary sum in lieu of provision of actual affordable units in or relative to the development for provision or enhancement of affordable housing in the Town of Reading." Attorney Favaloro discussed payment options including a straight cash payment and/or in kind services. Attorney Favaloro recommended that a subcommittee comprised of members of the RHA, BOS, CPDC, and Marriott be formed to bring the two parties closer to an agreement. Reverend Bob Sweet of the Reading Housing Authority reiterated Attorney Favaloro's comments stating the two parties were miles apart from an agreement. Reverend Sweet also suggested setting up a subcommittee to assist in the negotiations. Reverend Sweet commented that the Reading Housing Authority would accept in kind payments instead of a straight cash payment. Mr. Howard and Mr. Favaloro discussed the estimated value of approximately 12 units. Mr. Lino Bernardi of the Marriott Corporation estimated the individual unit cost being between $100,000 and $140,000. Mr. Bernardi reviewed his organization's financial concerns. Mr. Barnes stated that in essence Marriott is asking to be permitted to meet less than the 10% requirement stated in the new zoning by-law. Attorney Favaloro reviewed the wording in subsection 4.3:1.4.k. of the new by-law. Mr. Howard and Attorney Favaloro discussed how Marriott intended to comply with the 10% requirement from day one. Attorney Favaloro stated that when Marriott made the deal with Spence Farm there were no conditions for 10% affordable housing units in the by-laws. Attorney Favaloro and the Commission discussed the open space/recreation area on the rear portion of the property. Mr. Schubert explained that this was a selling point to Town Meeting members. Mr. Flammia and Mr. Bernardi discussed an alternative form of payment. Mr. Sullivan questioned Mr. Bernardi on the type of care the facility would offer. Board of Selectman Camille Anthony stated that she recalled Marriott stating that 10% affordable housing units would not be a problem. Mr. Howard suggested that a subcommittee be formed to further discuss these issues. Mr. Barnes volunteered to represent the Commission on this issue. The Reading Housing Authority, Mr. Barnes, and Marriott agreed to meet on March 1, 1999 at 6 PM at the Reading Housing Authority. MATTUCCI/ZANNI/RIVERS PRD PROPOSAL Attorney Brad Latham reviewed the history of the project. Attorney Latham explained that he was looking for approval on the appropriate number of buildable units for the PRD and feedback on the PRD zoning by- law amendments. Mr. Delaney reviewed his memo. dated 2/20/99. Mr. Delaney stated that 7 units was within the developers right. Mr. Delaney stated that the existing house could either be subdivided or the applicant could file with ZBA for relief. Mr. Schubert and Mr. Rivers discussed the length of the road. Mr. Fred Boni, an abutter of the property, shared his concerns regarding traffic and drainage. Ms. Nancy Eaton of the Conservation Commission questioned the amount of upland. Mr. Delaney stated that under the old the upland calculations. Mr. Howard and Attorney Latham discussed the suggested amendments to the PRD zoning by-law. The Commission and Attorney Latham discussed the special permit option. Mr. Howard stated that without hearing other issues and based on the Town Engineers memo of 2/20/99 and other information available to the Commission at this meeting, seven units appeared to be reasonable for the site. Attorney Latham will address the Commission's recommendations for the PRD by-law amendments. MELENDY DRIVE: FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT Attorney Latham and John Ogren of Hayes Engineering reviewed the request that CPDC recommend to the ZBA that the Melendy Drive property was not subject to flooding and was suitable for occupancy. Mr. Delaney reviewed his memo of 2/22/99. The Commission discussed the Town Engineers recommendations. Mr. Howard made the following motion, seconded by Mr. Flammia, approved 5-0. Move that CPDC report to the Zoning Board of Appeals that the areas of the property proposed for buildings on Melendy Drive are neither subject to flooding nor unsuitable for human occupancy. The Commission based this decision on the information provided by the applicant and analysis of the Town Engineer dated 2/22/99. GEORGE STREET: COMPREHENSIVE PERMIT Attorney Steve Cicatelli reviewed the plans for the 17 unit development. Attorney Cicatelli stated the correct name of the applicant was LAB Realty Trust. Attorney Cicatelli reviewed Chapter 40B and the process for filing a comprehensive permit. The Commission reviewed the plans. Mr. Connelly stated that he has asked Town Counsel for the filing procedure for a comprehensive permit. Attorney Cicatelli commented that since his clients meeting with the Town Manager additional parking was added. The proposal currently included 2.5 parking spaces per unit. Mr. Sullivan discussed the style of the units being built. The Commission and Attorney Cicatelli discussed the filing process. Mr. Howard suggested that the new Town Planner be contacted with regards to the comprehensive permit process. Mr. Schubert stated that he would call the new Town Planner. Attorney Cicatelli thanked the Commission and stated that his clients would be applying to the Board of Selectmen within the next month. MISCELLANEOUS The Commission discussed the latest issues of harassment and discrimination with regards to the incident involving two Reading Police Officers. ADJOURNMENT At 10:33 PM a motion was made by Mr. Howard and seconded by Mr. Flammia to adjourn and the Commission voted unanimously to do so. Respectfully Submitted: Approved: Signe :-.0 Date: ",-To 4 than Barnes, Secretary