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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-12-28 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutess . r""S ti.A aJ. TOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER 28,1998 i 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 December 28, 1998. In attendance were Michael Flammia, Richard Howard, Neil Sullivan and Jonathan Barnes. Also present were Town Engineer Joe Delaney and Clerk to the Commission Joe Connelly. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM. In the absence of Chairman Richard Schubert, Secretary Jonathan Barnes chaired the meeting. MINUTES Mr. Howard motioned to approve the minutes of the November 23, 1998 meeting, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, motion approved 3-0. MEETING SCHEDULE 1999 Mr. Connelly and the Commission reviewed the 1999 Community Planning and Development Commission meeting schedule. Mr. Howard motioned to approve the 1999 schedule as presented, seconded by Mr. Flammia, approved 4-0. BOND REDUCTION REQUEST Carriage Estates 11 - Mr. Delaney reviewed the bond reduction request and the Engineering Division memo dated December 28, 1998. Mr. Howard and Mr. Delaney discussed how the fees were determined. Mr. Howard made the following motion seconded by Mr. Flammia and approved 4-0. Move that CPDC reduce the bond funds held in connection with the Carriage Estates H Subdivision from the amount of THIRTY THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY FIVE DOLLARS ($30,855) by the sum of TWENTY FOUR THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY FIVE DOLLARS ($24,355), such that there shall remain the sum of SIX THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($6,500), which sum is still to be held as remaining bond funds for the satisfactory completion of the approved plans for the. entire subdivision under the provisions of the Three-Party Agreement relative to this subdivision. This motion was made with the recommendation of the Engineering Division as stated in their memo dated December 28, 1998. Sunset Rock Lane - Mr. Delaney reviewed the request and the Engineering Division memo dated December 28, 1998. Mr. Howard made the following motion seconded by Mr. Flammia and approved 4-0. Move that CPDC reduce the bond funds held in connection with the Sunset Rock Lane Subdivision from the amount of TWO HUNDRED SEVENTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($217,000) by the sum of EIGHTY SIX THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($86,500), such that there shall remain the sum of ONE HUNDRED THIRTY THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($130,500), which sum is still to be held as remaining bond funds for the satisfactory completion of the approved plans for the entire subdivision under the provisions of the Three-Party Agreement relative to this subdivision. CPDC also releases all lots for building. This motion was made with the recommendation of the Engineering Division as stated in their memo dated December 28, 1998. TOWN PLANNER POSITION Mr. Howard reviewed the search committee's results for the Town Planner position. The Commission discussed these results. The Commission discussed a multitude of hiring possibilities. CONTINUED PRD-G REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARING - 116 VAN NORDEN ROAD Mr. Barnes opened the Public Hearing. Mr. William Soper distributed new plans to the last appearance in front of the Commission. Mr. Soper and Mr. Delaney discussed the non compliance of Lot C with "Rule 22" and the non-compliance with the cul-de-sac maximum length of 500'. Mr. Delaney reviewed his memo to the Commission dated December 21, 1998. Mr. Howard and Mr. Delaney discussed the "Rule 22" compliance. Mr. Soper commented that the geometry of Lot C does not allow compliance. Mr. Howard and Mr. Delaney discussed the 557' measurement of the cul-de-sac length Mr. Delaney explained that the measurement is taken from the intersection of the nearest through street. Mr. Howard discussed the issue of granting waivers with Mr. Soper. Mr. Delaney commented that the regulations left little interpretation on behalf of the Commission. Mr. Howard stated that Mr. Soper has demonstrated that only one lot met the density requirements. The Commission asked for public input. Mr. Ed Mahoney stated that he owns the utilities on the street and that until the road and utility situation is fixed, the Commission should not continue. Mr. Barnes reviewed the procedure with Mr. Mahoney. Mr. Flammia commented that this was only a density issue at this point in the proceedings. Mr. Delaney stated, that the Commission was considering a request for zoning change and not approval of the PRD plans. Mr. Fred Boni and Mr. Delaney review "Rule 22" and the cul-de-sac length. Mr. Boni and the Commission discussed the usefiilness of a PRD. Mr. Howard reviewed several examples of the benefits of a PRD. Mr. Barnes stated that PRD's were not created to allow more houses to be built on a piece of property and that not every piece of land in town may be developable. Mr. Soper and the Commission again discussed possible waivers from the regulations. The Commission gave their consensus regarding this issue. The Commission members unanimously felt a waiver was not a realistic option in this case. Mr. Flammia motioned to close the Public Hearing, seconded by Mr. Sullivan and approved 4-0. The Public Hearing was closed at 8:55 PM. Mr. Flammia made the , following motion, seconded by Howard and approved 4-0. Move that CPDC deny the request of Mr. Fred Boni for an Article to be placed on the Spring 1999 Warrant for a PRD-G Overlay at 116 Van Norden Road because the schematic plans dated December 21, 1998 were unacceptable as detailed in the Town Engineer's memo of December 21, 1998. BALDWIN TERRACE EXTENSION DISCUSSION Mr. Bill Bergeron of Hayes Engineering, representing the Mr. and Mrs. Hardy of Russell Road, reviewed three options for developing one housing lot with the Commission. 1) Create a road way with legal frontage 2) Create a T turnout that looks like a driveway to minimize impact to the neighborhood 3) Create a cul-de-sac- off a cul-de-sac Mr. Bergeron explained that the Hardy's could proceed with option 3 as a matter of right. Mr. Bergeron explained that the Hardy's would rather move ahead with option 2 to minimize impact to the neighborhood. Mr. Bergeron explained that the physical layout concerning frontage was the same in all three options. The Commission discussed the non-conforming lot issue. The Commission discussed the waivers relevant to each option. Mr. Bergeron stated option 2 required the greatest amount of waivers, but yielded the greatest benefit to the Town and would not establish a precendent. The Commission discussed their ability and reasoning for granting a waiver in this case. Attorney Brad Latham pointed out the public interest by-law. Mr. Howard recommended that the Development Review Team look at options 2 and 3. 335 MAIN STREET PARKING EXPANSION Mr. Gary Meyers reviewed his interest to expand the parking lot at 335 Main Street to allow for a new health and fitness club to be built on site. Mr. Delaney commented that the current zoning for the site is 5-15 residential and that the ZBA would need to grant a variance. Mr. Delaney pointed out some possible wetland issues. Mr. Howard explained that Mr. Meyer would have to seek approval for a zoning change from the ZBA, submit Sit Plan Review with CPDC, and file with the Conservation Commission. The Commission discussed various alternatives with Mr. Meyers. MISCELLANEOUS Mr. Barnes asked the Commission to attend the Historical Commission meeting on January 5, 1999, if possible. Mr. Barnes asked Mr. Connelly to post that as a CPDC meeting. Mr. Flammia asked Mr. Connelly to contact Assistant Town Manager, Russ Dean, to set up a meeting with Corporex. The Commission discussed the meeting and possibly a joint meeting with Conservation. Mr. Howard and the Commission discussed the memo from Peter Hechennbleilrner, Town Manager to Russell Graham concerning a traffic study for the proposed school site on Dividence Road. ADJOURNME NT At 10:12 PM a motion was made by Mr. Flammia and seconded by Mr. Howard to adjourn and the Commission voted unanimously to do so. Respectful) Submitted- Approved: 11[lqq Signed: W ~Ak Date: l 2 S . Pqw- f Jonathan Barnes Secretary ~