HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-15 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTOWN OF READING
CONDAUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 15, 1997 U w t
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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 September 15, 1997. In attendance were Michael Flammia, Chair; Secretary
Richard Schubert, and Members Susan DeMatteo and Richard Howard. Also present were Town
Planner Jonathan Edwards and Town Engineer Joseph Delaney. The meeting was called to order
at 7:38PM.
The Commission voted 4:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mr. Schubert, to
authorize the Town Planner to substitute Town Counsel's language of proposed zoning warrant
articles for that already submitted to the Board of Selectmen.
ANR PLAN
The Commission voted 4:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Ms. DeMatteo, to
endorse Plan of Land on Pleasant Road dated August 25, 1997.
PUBLIC HEARING - Definitive Subdivision Plans: Sunset Rock Lane
Attorney O. Bradley Latham, Bill Bergeron, and Peter DeGennaro presented plans. Mr. Edwards
read staff comments. Public comments included the following:
• oppose the connection of any kind between Joseph Way and the new street
• development will increase traffic problems, sewer pump is not adequate, increased
problems if it fails
• construction vehicles should not use Joseph Way or Sandra Lane
• water runoff problems may be increased
• the Town Forest Committee wants no parking on Parcel A; access right of way should
be twenty feet, not fifty feet, okay if Parcel A is transferred to the Town Forest
The Commission voted 4:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mr. Schubert, to
continue the Public Hearing to 7:45PM on October 6, 1997.
PUBLIC HEARING - Walnut Street Scenic Road Designation
Attorney Mark Favaloro, representing applicant neighbors, introduced request for designation of
Walnut Street, between Hopkins Street and Pine Ridge Road, as a Scenic Road and requested
that the review process be put into place. Bente Starble presented reasons why the applicant
neighbors feel that the street would qualify as a Scenic Road: drainage, tree removal, increased
pavement, reduction of stone walls would denigrate historic and scenic character of the street.
Virginia Adams, of the Historical Commission, stated that the Historical Commission supports
designation because of the historical character and age of the street and many historical houses,
historical activities of Walnut Street residents, remaining stonewalls, trees, and remaining rural
character.
Other concerns of citizens in attendance included:
• pedestrian safety
• traffic volume and speed
• road construction would be smoother and safer, but would promote increased
volumes and speeds of traffic
• traffic should not be encouraged, but pedestrian safety should be improved
• traffic and pedestrian safety studies have not been done
• Walnut Street is now safefor pedestrians
• most neighbors support the Scenic Road designation
The Commission voted 4:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Ms. DeMatteo, to
close the Public Hearing.
The Commission voted 4:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Ms. DeMatteo, to
recommend to the Board of Selectmen to place an article on the Warrant for Fall Town Meeting
to designate Walnut Street as a Scenic Road.
The Commission voted 4:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mr. Schubert, to
meet Saturday, September at 9:30AM, at Sturges Park. (Rain date: Saturday, October 4, 1997)
OTHER BUSINESS
The Commission agreed to schedule the Zoning Articles Public Hearing for 9:OOPM on October
6, 1997 and include deliberation on Walnut Street Scenic Road Article.
The minutes of the meeting of August 11, 1997 were approved, and the minutes of August 25,
1997 were amended and approved.
The Commission voted 4:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mr. Schubert, to
change the name of the roadway at 48 Mill Street PRD to "Old Mill Lane".
The Commission voted 4:0 to approve a motion by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mr. Schubert, to
endorse a Tri-Party Agreement and Lot Release for Old Mill Realty Trust.
ADJOURNMENT
At 10:26PM a motion was made and seconded to adjourn and the Commission voted unanimously
to do so.
Respectfully Submitted:
Signed:_W4 W ~CW4
Approved: Set,-tA-.. , e,. 29, c9 9 T-
Date: OJAW ("I (alavi
Richard Schubert, Secretary