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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-11-02 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 02, 1998 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 November 02, 1998. In attendance were Susan DeMatteo, Michael Flammia and Chairman Richard Schubert Also present were Clerk to the Commission Joe Connelly and Town Engineer Joseph Delaney. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM. MINUTES Mr. Flammia motioned to accept the minutes, motion seconded by Ms. DeMatteo. The Commission approved the minutes of the October 26, 1998 meeting 3-0. LEANING ELM FARM CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Mr. Tom Devaney of the Leaning Elm Farm Condominium Association requested that the Commission remove the condition in the December 03, 1996 Order of Conditions that requires a speed hump to be installed at station 3+75. The Commission discussed this request. Mr. Delaney stated that he had no objections to the request. Mr. Connelly stated that he spoke with Reading Safety Officer Joe Veno and he had no objections to the request. Mr. Flaimnia made the following motion: Motion that the Commission eliminate condition #21 of the Order of Conditions dated December 03, 1996 for the Leaning Elm Farm Condominium Complex located at 89 Main Street, Reading. The Commission references the comments of the Town Engineer and Safety Officer. The Commission references the petition of October 29, 1998 that is signed by the 12 unit owners of the Leaning Elm Condominium Complex. Motion seconded by Ms. DeMatteo, approved 3-0. Commission member Richard Howard entered the meeting at 7:45 PM. BETHESDA LANE Mr. Delaney reviewed the punch list of the Town Engineering Department regarding Bethesda Lane. Mr. Delaney reviewed the memo from Peter T. Reinhart, Civil Engineer dated October 27, 1998. Mr. Delaney estimated the total value of the work to be complete to be $100. The Commission discussed the punch list with Mr. Tango. Mr. Flaimnia discussed the June 29, 1998 letter from Attorney Favaloro with Mr. Tango. Mr. Tango explained that he believed the accusations for tree damage had been dismissed. Mr. Favaloro reviewed the June 29, 1998 letter. Mr. Tango reviewed his walk around with Jonathan Edwards and former Tree Warden Bud Dickey. Mr. Tango stated that if disturbances were made he would place like trees at the site. Mr. Howard reviewed the July 27, 1998 motion of CPDC. Mr. Delaney and Mr. Tango reviewed the Lot 4 issues. Ms. Joyce and Mr. Tango discussed the issue of excess fill on her property. Mr. Schubert asked if an acceptable agreement could be reached between both parties. Mr. Favaloro asked Mr. Tango to agree on record to plant 2-3 like trees, and remove the excess dirt from the Joyce's property. Mr. Delaney suggested that Mr. Tango contact Tree Warden Bob Keating before planting the trees. Mrs. Joyce discussed the run off issue with Mr. Tango and the Commission. Mr. Riopelle of 11 Bethesda Lane gave input regarding the run off on site. Mr. Tango agreed to place a dry well on site to eliminate the run off problem. Mr. Favaloro asked Mr. Tango for a time frame that the work will be complete. Mr. Tango stated that the work would be completed within the next two weeks as long as the weather cooperated. Mr. Delaney asked Mr. Tango to submit a request in writing for bond release to Mr. Connelly. PUBLIC HEARING: SITE PLAN REVIEW CARTER AND COLEMAN REALTY TRUST 242-248 MAIN STREET Mr. Schubert opened the Public Hearing. Ms. DeMatteo read the Public Hearing Notice. Mr. Coleman distributed revised plans and begin his presentation. Mr. Coleman gave a brief history of the property. Mr. landscaping plan, parking lot, environmental impact, drainage report, benefits to Main Street, and safety benefits. Mr. Coleman reviewed the Development Review Team recommendations. Mr. Delaney explained the fire access needed on site. Mr. Schubert asked for public input. W. Falco of 46 Pinevale Avenue objected to the parking lot area and asked for an increased visual and sound barrier. Mr. Conant of 50 Pinevale Avenue commented on the size of the building with respect to the lot. Ms. Guidi of 54 Pinevale Avenue stated her objections to the increase size of the parking lot , noise pollution, air pollution and water issues. Mr. Howard and Mr. Coleman reviewed the existing condition and the 195' buffer zone. Ms. Titilah of 46 Pinevale Avenue stated that the parking lot conditions were offensive and she requested increased plantings to increase the barrier from the parking lot to the neighborhood. Ms. Guidi commented that the new building will generate increased traffic flow. Mr. Conant commented on the safety concern of the Knollwood Road increase line of sight. Mr. Coleman commented that there was no practical impact of the 200' buffer zone. Mr. Coleman indicated he would plant pine trees along the parking lot to increase the barrier. Mr. Coleman and Mr. Howard discussed the signage of the building. Mr. Delaney and Mr. Coleman discussed the lighting of the site. Mr. Howard motioned to close the Public Hearing, seconded by Ms. DeMatteo, approved 4-0. Mr. Howard made the following motion: Move that CPDC approve the Site Plan for 242-248 Main Street, Carter and Coleman Realty Trust, as shown on plans dated October 6, 1998 and October 26, 1998, subject to the order of conditions detailed in the November 03, 1998 memo from Joseph J. Connelly, Clerk to the Commission to Cheryl Johnson, Town Clerk. Motion was seconded by Ms. DeMatteo, motion approved 4-0. PUBLIC HEARING WARRANT ARTICLES 21. 22, 23 FOR SUBSEQUENT NOVEMBER 09, 1998 TOWN MEETING Mr. Schubert called the Public Hearing to order. Ms. DeMatteo read the Public Notice. Mr. Howard motioned to dispense with the reading of each article, seconded by Mr. Flammia, approved 4-0. ARTICLE 21 Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner reviewed Article 21. Mr. Howard made the following motion: Move that CPDC recommend Article 21 to Town Meeting as amended in the November 03, 1998 memo from Joseph J. Connelly, Clerk to the Commission to Cheryl Johnson, Town Clerk. Mr. Flammia seconded the motion, motion approved 4-0. ARTICLE 22 Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner reviewed Article 22. Mr. Hechenbleikner reviewed the decision by the Board of Selectmen not to purchase the property. Mr. Sweet from the Reading Housing Authority and Mr. Hechenbledwer discussed the wording regarding the monetary sum. Mr. Howard reviewed his concerns with the Commission. Mr. Howard asked that the definition of Assisted Living be referenced in the Article. Mr. Howard reviewed his concerns regarding adjoining property being purchased by the developer. Mr. Howard commented that the By-Law was not specific to the Spence Farm Property. Mr. Howard reiterated Selectmen George Hines concerns with multiple boards negotiating with applicants, Mr. Howard indicated that the CPDC should make the decision with input from the Reading Housing Authority. Mr. Flammia and Mr. Howard discussed the Commission's knowledge in such areas. Mr. Hechenbleikner, Mr. Sweet, and the Commission discussed whether or not the Reading Housing Authority should have the final say or should give input to the Community Planning and Development Commission. Mr. Howard and Mr. Hechenbleikner discussed the criteria for executive session. Mr. Howard made the following motion: Move that CPDC amend the Article as detailed in the November 03, 1998 memo from Joseph J. Connelly, Clerk to the Commission to Cheryl Johnson, Town Clerk. Motion seconded by Ms. DeMatteo. Mr. Schubert indicated that he would feel pressure to learn everything there is to know about the housing authority rules and regulation in order to make that change. Mr. Howard stated that the Commission would simply be assessing value to 10%. Mr. Sweet and the Commission discussed the feeling of CPDC regarding past RHA decisions and negotiations. Mr. Flam -da explained that it was a process issue. The Commission approved the motion 3-1, with Mr. Schubert voting against the motion. Mr. Howard made the following motion: memo from Joseph J. Connelly, Clerk to the Commission to Cheryl Johnson, Town Clerk. Mr. Flammia seconded the motion, motion approved 4-0. ARTICLE 23 Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner reviewed Article 23. Mr. Howard made the following motion: Move that CPDC recommend Article 23 to Town Meeting with an addition that CPDC would not be opposed to changing the time of illumination from 6 PM to 4:30 PM, seconded by Mr. Flammia, approved 4-0. Mr. Howard motioned to close the Public Hearing, seconded by Ms. DeMatteo, approved 4-0. The Commission discussed the Town Meeting presentations. Mr. Hechenbleikner recommended that Town Counsel explain the Adult Use Article to Town Meeting. Mr. Flammia volunteered to report on the Assisted Living Article. ADJOURNMENT At 10:15 PM a motion was made by Mr. Howard and seconded by Ms. DeMatteo to adjourn and the Commission voted unanimously to do so, Respectfully Submitted: Approved: Signed: Date: Jonathan Barnes, Secretary