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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-10-26 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesE TOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES OF OCTOBER 26, 1998 A meeting of the Community Planning and Development Commission of the Town of Reading was he d in the Selectmen's Meeting Room in Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street in Reading, Massachusetts on Octobef 26, crw) 1998. In attendance were Susan DeMatteo, Richard Howard, Michael Flanunia 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. Howard amended the minutes of the October 19, 1998 meeting. Mr. Howard motioned to accept the minutes as amended, motion seconded by Ms. DeMatteo. Commission member Jonathan Barnes entered the meeting at 7:45 PM. The Commission approved the minutes of the October 19, 1998 as amended 3-0-1 with Mr. Barnes abstaining. Mr. Howard amended the October 20, 1998 memo from Joseph J. Connelly, Clerk to the Commission to Cheryl Johnson, Town Clerk regarding Pleasant Road Extension (Melendy Road). To reflect the original motion Mr. Howard motioned to draft a revised memo to Cheryl Johnson, Town Clerk regarding Pleasant Road Extension (Melendy Road). Ms. DeMatteo seconded the motion, motion approved 4-0-1 with Mr. Flammia abstaining. ANR - 72 VAN NORDEN ROAD Mr. Delaney and the Commission reviewed the ANR plan for 72 Van Norden Road. Mr. Howard made the following motion: Move that CPDC endorse the ANR for a Plan of Land on 72 Van Norden Road as shown in plans dated October 02, 1998. Ms. DeMatteo seconded the motion, motion approved 5-0. BETHESDA LANE Mr. Connelly and Mr. Delaney reviewed the issues with the Bethesda Lane development. Mr. Connelly explained that he received a call from an abutter reminding CPDC of the October 27, 1998 deadline for the developer to meet the Commission's conditions. Mr. Delaney reviewed the current conditions of Bethesda Lane. Mr. Schubert stated that this would be discussed at the November 02, 1998 meeting. Mr. Connelly stated that he will contact the abutter that called and will also inform Attorney Mark Favaloro. PUBLIC HEARING: 12-14 BRANDE COURT Mr. Schubert called the Public Hearing to order. Mr. Barnes read the Public Hearing as it was advertised. Mr. Delaney summarized the details of the project. Mr. Delaney reviewed the following issues concerning the Brande Court Parking Expansion: A) Reading Housing Authority move of the existing building. B) The intention of the parking expansion project. C) On site fencing improvements. D) Vehicular access for abutter into back yard. E) Proposed plantings on site. F) Ornamental lighting equipment similar to Downtown Streetscape G) The relocation of the hydrant and utility pole. H) Concern for planting high growing material to shield houses from parking area. Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner explained that the funding for the project was from Town Meeting action. Mr. Hechenbleikner reviewed the construction time schedule. Mr. Hechenbleikner discussed the Reading Housing Authorities intentions to move the existing house to the corner of Wilson Street and Pleasant Street. Mr. Hechenbleikner explained that the ornamental lighting features would include directioning_the light so notto shine-on-abutter's-property. Mr. Hechenbleikner explained the Town's desire - to eventually recondition the entire parking lot. Mr. Howard and Mr. Barnes discussed the placing of the lights with Mr. Delaney. The Commission discussed the landscaping on site. Mr. Howard discussed the drainage on site with Mr. Delaney. Mr. Barnes and Mr. Delaney discussed the traffic triangle and traffic flow. Mr. Delaney indicated that the traffic triangle would exist only by painted lines. Mr. Schubert asked for public input. Mr. Phil LeBlanc of 14 Gardner Road commented that the carriage deposits on site interfere with potential parking spaces. Mr. LeBlanc reminded the Commission that the Atlantic Parking area is a town owned parking lot. Mr. Hechenbleikner explained that the town was discussing this issue with Mr. Rubin. Ms. Camille Anthony discussed the perception that the parking lot is owned by Mr. Rubin. Ms. Anthony commented that she believed the parking area should be broken up with greenery. Mr. Delaney discussed this issue with the Commission. Mr. Delaney and Ms. Anthony discussed aisle widths. Mr. Flammia and Mr. Delaney discussed future parking plans for the site. Mr. Hechenbleikner discussed the current parking conditions with the Commission. The Commission and Ms. Anthony discussed the problems with large trucks in the parking lot area. Mr. Barnes pointed out the problems with the visibility of the landscaped areas. Mr. Flammia and Mr. Hechenbleikner discussed the possibility of hiring a landscape architect to look at the parking site. Mr. Hechenbleikner believed that funding may be available for this purpose. Mr. Howard motioned to close the Public Hearing on the Brande Court Parking Expansion, seconded by Mr. Flannnia, approved 5-0. Mr. Howard made the following motion: Motion that the site plan entitled Proposal parking Area Brande Court dated 10/01/98 be approved with conditions as described in the October 27, 1998 memo to the Cheryl Johnson, Town Clerk Motion seconded by Ms. DeMatteo. The Commission discussed and amended the original motion. Mr. Howard motioned to accept the motion as amended, seconded by Mr. Flammia, approved 5-0. MISCELLANEOUS Mr. Schubert and Mr. Delaney discussed the difference between an ANR and a Subdivision. Mr. Delaney explained that a subdivision exists when the developer needs to install a road Mr. Delaney and Mr. Schubert discussed the Second Street ANR. Mr. Hechenbleikner reviewed the process for hiring a Town Planner. Mr. Hechenbleikner stated that the new hiring date would be January 1, 1999. Ms. Anthony introduced herself as the Board of Selectmen liaison to CPDC. Ms Anthony reviewed three issues with the Commission. 1) Earth Removal By-Law 2) Mansionization - Building large homes on small lots 3) Heavy machinery in a residential area The Commission asked Mr. Connelly to contact MAPC regarding this issue. Mr. Hechenbleikner asked Mr. Connelly to contact Paula Schena to have the information placed in the "MMA" publication. Mr. Schubert and Mr. Delaney discussed West Street as a scenic road. Mr. Hechenbleikner explained the process and agreement with the City of Woburn and Town of Reading. Ms. Anthony asked the Community Planning and Development Commission to update the Board of Selectmen at a December meeting. ADJOURNMENT At 9:15 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: oz ~q8 _ Signed: U2VU W A~ Date: Jonathan Barnes, Secretary