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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-09-28 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 A , „ J 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 September 28, 1998. In attendance were Michael Flammia, Susan DeMatteo, 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 7:40 PM. Ms. DeMatteo amended the minutes dated September 10, 1998. Mr. Flammia motioned to accept the minutes of the September 10, 1998 meeting, seconded by Ms. DeMatteo. The minutes were accepted 3-". Commission Secretary Jonathan Barnes entered the meeting at 7:45 PM. Mr. Flammia asked if Mr. Tango was contacted regarding issues concerning the September 10, 1998 CPDC Meeting. Mr. Delaney will contact Mr. Tango. Mr. Schubert asked for Public Input. Mr. Howxie began to review his concerns for preserving Walnut Street. Mr. Schubert commented that Mr. Howxie may want to wait until the public hearing begins to share his concerns. The Commission discussed representation on the NSPC Board and Spence Farm Study Committee. Mr. Schubert volunteered to attend the NSPC meetings. Mr. Barnes volunteered to attend the Spence Farm Study Committee meetings. Mr. Schubert and Mr. Barnes asked Mr. Connelly to make copies of the Preservation of By-laws and Ordinances packet for each CPDC member. Mr. Barnes asked Mr. Connelly to keep a copy on record in the Community Development Department. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: WALNUT STREET SCENIC ROAD Mr. Schubert opened the public hearing on the Walnut Street Scenic Road. Mr. Delaney reviewed the proposal by the Board of Selectmen to place a sidewalk from South Street to Pine Ridge Road. Mr. Delaney reviewed the following issues: Type of sidewalk; Preservation of trees; Wetland issues near Sturges Park. Mr. Schubert read into record the memo from Tree Warden, Bob Keating dated September 28, 1998. Mr. Barnes read into record the letter dated September 21, 1998 from Jim Strack of 177 Pine Ridge Road. Mr. Schubert read into record the letter from Virginia Adams, Chairman of the Historical Commission, dated September 17, 1998. Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner reviewed the Board of Selectmen recommendation and discussions from the Board of Selectmen meeting of September 23, 1997. Mr. Hechenbleikner urged CPDC to approve this project so that work may begin as soon as possible. Mr. Flammia asked Hechenbleikner to explain the compromise regarding the grass sidewalk. Mr. Hechenbleikner explained the plans originally called for an asphalt sidewalk the entire length of Walnut Street. Mr. Hechenbleikner stated that the new plans include an asphalt sidewalk from South Street to Pine Ridge Road and a grass sidewalk from Hopkins Street to South Street. Mr. Sulls of 50 Walnut Street shared his concerns with the Commission. Mr. Sulls reviewed his concerns with the open meeting policy. Mr. Sulls shared his belief that the sidewalk should be grass. Mr. Sulls also stated his interpretation of what a scenic road should look like. Ms. Fuller of 169 Walnut Street shared her concerns regarding the proposed project and asked the Commission to keep Walnut Street as scenic as possible. Ms. Fuller asked that the sidewalks be kept grass and not asphalt. Mr. Fitzpatrick of 162 Walnut Street asked the Commission to keep the scenic road looking rustic_and nu-al. Mr. Fitzpatrick commented that he believed the problem area to be the slope of the road and the obstacles on the side of the road. Mr. Fitzpatrick stated that if the obstacles were removed, it would create a safer condition. Mr. Karandanis of 197 South Street stated that a sidewalk would give undo assurances that the area was safe. Mr. Karandanis commented that a grass area for escape was safer than the false assurances of a asphalt sidewalk. Mr. Flammia reviewed his concerns with not placing curbing in the area. Mr. Hechenbleikner again reviewed the minutes of the September 23, 1997 meeting. Mr. Hechenbleikner summarized the authority of the Board of Selectmen as roadway commissioners and the authority of the CPDC. There was a small outburst by Mr. Fuller. Mr. Flarmnia and Mr. Delaney discussed the construction plans. Mr. Schubert reminded those in attendance to respect each other and the proceedings. Mr. Barnes asked Mr. Delaney for the length of the sidewalk to be paved. Mr. Delaney stated that approximately 300' of sidewalk would be paved. Mr. Delaney and Mr. Barnes discussed the benefits of asphalt sidewalks compared to grass sidewalks. Mr. Schubert and Mr. Delaney discussed a stretch of sidewalk on Wakefield Street. Mr. Lobdell of 149 Walnut Street commented that there was no existing problem with pedestrian traffic and that this issue should be "put to bed". Ms. Adams and Mr. Delaney discussed the memo from the Historical Commission. Mr. Gramzow asked if granite curbing could be used with a grass sidewalk. Mr. Howxie proposed a solution to save the existing trees on Walnut Street. Mr. Barnes discussed the By-law and commented that grass may be a reasonable alternative to asphalt in this circumstance. Mr. Barnes discussed this alternative with Mr. Hechenbleikner. Mr. Stills and Mr. Hechenbleikner discussed slanted verse vertical curbing. Mr. Strack reviewed his concerns regarding the safety of a grass sidewalk. Mr. Barnes motioned to close the public hearing, seconded by DeMatteo, motion approved 4-0. Mr. Barnes made the following motion: Motion to approve the application for construction as dated 4/21/98 in accordance with Section 6 of the Scenic Road By-law with the following conditions: 1) The Tree Wardens letter dated 9/28/98 be entered into the record 2) Condition number 3 of the Historical Commission letter of 9/17/98 be entered into the record. 3) Vertical granite curbing be placed from South Street to Pine Ridge Road 4) A grass sidewalk be placed from South Street to Pine Ridge Road 5) All plans for tree trimming on Walnut Street to require prior approval from the CPDC - 6) The new stone wall shall have the color and character of the existing wall and shall have the appearance of dry masonry construction. The motion was seconded by DeMatteo and approved 4-0. Mr. Flammia discussed the motion with Mr. Howxie. Mr. Howxie did not approve of the use of mortar and recommended the use of split granite. The Commission asked Mr. Connelly to draft a letter to the McElhineys with the conditions set forth by the Historical Commission. Mr. Sweeney discussed the Scenic Road By-law with the Commission. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: PLEASANT ROAD EXTENSION Mr. Connelly and Mr. Schubert reviewed the request for extension from the applicant's attorney. Mr. Barnes stated that he did not feel comfortable signing the extension without representation form Latham, Latham, & Lamond. The Commission took a short break. Mr. Barnes stated that he talked to Brad Latham during the break via telephone and would have Mr. Latham sign the extension at his home this evening. Ms. Adams volunteered to drive to Mr. Latham's home so that he may sign the document. The Commission thanked Ms. Adams. REQUEST FOR WAIVER FROM SITE PLAN REVIEW: 80 NEW CROSSING ROAD Richard Willams, Peter Fuller, and John Cissel represented the applicant. Mr. Willams of Hayes Engineering described the project. Mr. Delaney reviewed the Development Review Team recommendations. Mr. Fuller and Mr. Cissel stated .that they accepted the Development Review Team recommendations. Mr. Barnes discussed the site plan waiver process with the Commission. Mr. Barnes and Mr. Cissel discussed the landscaping issues. Mr. Barnes stated for the record the reason this application qualified for site plan waiver was because the applicant received site plan approval within the last five years (May 24, 1996). Mr. Barnes made the following motion: Motion to grant site plan waiver for 80 New Crossing Road dated 9/18/98. Plans to be revised to show the conditions set forth in the minutes of the Development Review Team dated 9/24/98. Motion was seconded by Mr. Flammia, motion approved 4-0. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: PLEASANT ROAD EXTENSION Ms. Adams returned at approximately 10:15 PM with the signed extension agreement from Mr. Latham. Mr. Schubert opened the public hearing for Pleasant Road Extension. Mr. Barnes motioned to continue the public hearing to October 19, 1998 at 9:00 PM. Motion was seconded by Mr. Flarmnia, motion approved 4-0. The Commission briefly discussed the Lucy Drive Warrant Article. ADJOURNMENT At 10:21 PM a motion was made by Mr. Flammia and seconded by Ms. DeMatteo to adjourn and the Commission voted unanimously to do so. Respectfully Submitted: Signed; Jonathan Barnes, Secretary Approved: Date: A Ir