HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-06-08 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTOWN OF READING
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION '
MINUTES OF JUNE 8, 1998
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A meeting of the Community Planning and Development Commission of the Town of Reading was held in
the Selectmen's Meeting Room of the Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street in Reading, Massachusetts on Jun 8,
1998. In attendance were Michael Flammia, Chair, Secretary Richard Schubert, and Members Susan
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DeMatteo and Richard Howard. Also present were Town Planner Jonathan Edwards and Town Engineer °
Joseph Delaney. The meeting was called to order at 7:32PM.
89 Main Street PRD-G
Mr. Tom Devaney, developer, presented a revised grading plan, dated June 1, 1998. The Commission
voted 3:0:1(Ms. DeMatteo abstaining) to approve a motion by Mr. Schubert, seconded by Mr. Howard, to
approve these changes as minor modifications.
Member Jonathan Barnes joined the quorum.
Lot Release for Lot #9 Sunset Rock Lane, requested by Presidential Development Corp.
Mr. Delaney recommended with conditions as stipulated in his memo of June 8, 1998. The Commission
asked the Town Planner to draft a policy dealing with such situations. The Commission voted 5:0 to
approve a motion of Mr. Howard, seconded by Ms. DeMatteo, to release Lot #9 subject to Town
Engineer's memo of June 8, 1998.
Site Plan Waiver Request - 601-607 Main Street
Mr. Phil Vaccaro presented plans for reconstructing a portion of this building. The Commission voted 4:1
(Mr. Flammia opposed) to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mr. Schubert, to grant a waiver
from Site Plan Review with the following conditions: 1) dumpster location and fencing acceptable to
Town Planner, 2) Parking to be striped acceptable to Town Planner, 3) signage be according to Zoning By-
Laws, and 4) painting of trim on existing building be accomplished as soon as feasible.
Continued Public Hearing: Summit Village Special Permit Modification Reauest
Sheila Griffin, attorney, presented a summary of requested Special Permit modifications and requested a
reduction in escrow funds held. Dolben Company would be willing to donate a 10,000 square foot lot to
the Town as part of these modifications. Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner stated the Selectmen's
support of these modification requests and presented financial summary of mitigation measures connected
with Summit Village. Mr. Edwards stated that he was not prepared to comment on the escrow reduction
request but recommended elimination of only the two conditions requested provided that Lot 52 (10,000)
square feet on Hopkins Street is donated to the Town. Mr. Delaney reviewed his memorandum of June 4,
1998, particularly regarding estimated costs of the off-site conditions.
Public comments included: Wakefield restrictions are not working and are no longer being enforced,
Hopkins and South Street intersections are unsafe at Main Street (Town Manager stated that the South
Street intersection is proposed to be resignalized), resignalization is needed to help left turns out of South
Street, Summit Village does not have enough visitor parking, defunct poles on site should be removed, poor
sight distance at Hopkins and South Streets, and Hopkins Street Lot is not yet cleaned up.
The Commission voted 5:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Ms. DeMatteo, to close the
Public Hearing with respect to Special Permit modification request but continue the Public Hearing to June
29, 1998 at 9:OOPM regarding the requested escrow reduction. The Commission voted 5:0 to approve a
motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mr. Barnes, to modify conditions C 1 and D6 of the Special Permit by
eliminating said conditions provided the Town receives the deed to Lot 52 on Hopkins Street, subject to the
conclusionof negotiations between the applicant and the Board of Selectmen. The Commission voted 5:0
Engineer, work with the State to resignalize South/Main Street traffic lights to provide for left hand turns
out of South Street.
ANR PLAN - Lucy Drive
The Commission voted 5:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Ms. DeMatteo, to reject ANR
Plan of Land for Lots 5A and 5B, dated June 1, 1998 because it would create nonconforming conditions
with respect to frontage.
DISCUSSION ABOUT ZONING REVISIONS RELATIVE TO ADULT USES
Mr. Edwards presented basic issues, background, and a summary of findings of fact regarding seconda y
impacts of adult uses previously accepted by CPDC. Mr. Flammia stated that there would be a real benefit
to proceeding the current litigation, based on establishing legal precedent by obtaining a decision of the
Appeals Court. Cheryl Blaine, of Town Counsel's office, suggested changing the discretion of ZBA in
Sections 4.3.4.3 by changing "may" to "shall" and removing "with such conditions... welfare,". Mr. Barnes
expressed concern about not providing some qualitative discretion by the ZBA. Mr. Howard feels that the
revisions must be effectively defensible in court. Mr. John Coote, Member of ZBA, stated the ZBA would
rather not be involved in adult use zoning matters; if discretion is allowed, then criteria for judgement must
be set forth.
DISCUSSION: Knoliwood & Main Street Office Building
Rick Carter, owner, showed CPDC the latest plans for development. The Commission voted 5:0 to approve
a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mr. Schubert, that CPDC supports the concept as reflective of
Master Plan goals - landscaping on front and parking to side, subject to reservation of rights to review all
details as part of upcoming site plan review.
ADULT-USE DISCUSSION (continued)
Direction to staff for draft article language:
ZBA discretion as suggested by Cheryl Blaine
- May wish to distinguish between types of adult uses - Cheryl will look into this
Have no particular setback from residential zoning districts
In "b" "c" add "...existing at the time of Special Permit application"
In 4.3.4.3.2 remove "b" and second sentence of "c"
Confine only to main industrial district
Leave dimensional number blank
Cheryl will draft introductory summary.
ADJOURNMENT
At 11:27PM a motion was made and seconded to adjourn and the Commission voted unanimously to do so.
Respectfully Submitted: Approved(:: June 29, 1998
Signed: 7AJ A Date: _~l U l 3mg
Richard Schubert, Secretary