HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-12-13 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTown of Reading
v~ I ;.~Lu
16 Lowell Street ft
Reading, MA 01867-2683 'G, MASS.
Phone: 781-942-9012
Fax: 781-942-9071
Email: creilly@ci.reading.ma.us 2005 JAN 12 P 4: 40
Community Planning and Development Commission
CPDC MINUTES
Meeting Dated: December 13, 2004
Members Present: Neil Sullivan, Chair (NS), Jonathan Barnes (JB), Susan DeMatteo
(SD), John Sasso (JS).
Also Present: Joe Delaney (JD), Town Engineer
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM.
Administrative Review
Carter & Coleman, 242 Main Street Modification Request for Approved Site Plan
Attorney Chris Coleman made a presentation that described the changes to the project.
The primary change is to the driveway location. MassHighway would not issue a curb
cut permit for the originally proposed location because it encroached on a neighboring
property. The change in location does not effect the number or location of parking
spaces.
JB asked about a pole located in front of the property. The pole is shown on the plan at
the edge of the curb cut.
JD thought it could be worked around.
NS asked about planting shade trees and submission of a final landscaping plan.
Mr. Coleman agreed to submit a final landscaping plan.
JB moved to approve as a minor modification the relocation of the driveway opening at
242 Main Street, as shown the Site Layout and Utility Plan revised through August 20,
2004, with the following conditions:
■ Shade tree installation in the parking lot islands; and
Submission of a final landscaping plan.
These conditions shall be subject to review and approval by the Town Planner.
SD seconded:-
Vote,d 3:0:0, all in favor.
Minutes
The minutes of November 29, 2004 were reviewed and several amendments were made.
JB moved to approve the minutes as amended.
SD seconded.
Voted 3:0:0, all in favor.
By Moonlight, 678 Main Street
The owner of the business, Donald Truitt, made a brief presentation showing the
proposed awning for the business.
C\My Documents\CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\Muiutcs\CPDCMIN12.13.04.doc
JB questioned whether the business can have a sign on the awning and a second on the
door.
JS looked it up and indicated that it was acceptable.
JB noted that the awnings on adjacent uses are different in shape.
JB moved to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for 678 Main Street, Unit 12 as
presented in the application dated November 10, 2004.
SD seconded.
Voted 4:0:0, all in favor.
Administrative Review:
Public Hearing Procedures
JB discussed a couple of issues with public hearing procedures.
1. The narrative by the Town Planner was very helpful.
2. Having a draft decision is also helpful.
3. Decisions should not be deliberated before closing the hearing (e.g., Danis)
JS agreed that having public hearing guidelines is a good idea.
JB asked that this item be put on the agenda for the next meeting.
John Street Neighborhood Meeting
JD briefed the CPDC on the neighborhood meeting held by the Board of Selectmen. He
explained that the meeting lasted a couple of hours and was primarily a listening session
for the BOS. The issues raised by the neighborhood included cut through traffic,
speeding, truck traffic, difficulties traversing Walkers Brook Drive, and the like.
Certificate of Appropriateness
J&B Crosby & Co., 175 Haven Street
The Applicant made a brief presentation and explained that the proposed awning for the
property had been changed from a square edged awning to a rounded awning. The new
awning took into consideration the Historical Commission's input and was selected
because snow would not collect on it. The CPDC had not seen the proposal for a
rounded- awning prior to the meeting.
JB indicated that he would prefer the square awning.
There was quite a bit of discussion over the shape of the awning and whether the new
proposed lettering met the by-law requirements.
JS moved to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed awning at 175
Haven Street as presented on the plans submitted December 13, 2004, subject to the
submission of final lettering dimensions.
SD seconded.
Voted 4:0:0, all in favor.
Certificate of Appropriateness
The Canvas Alley Gallery, 231 Haven Street
The Applicant made a presentation showing a projecting sign for the use. The sign would
bulbs for external lighting.
JB and JS discussed the required height of the sign.
wait naiogen
CAMy Documents\CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\Minutes\CPDCMIN12.13.04.dOc
JS moved to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed sign at 231 Haven
Street as submitted on the application received on December 1, 2004.
JB seconded.
Voted 4:0:0, all in favor.
Public Nearing: Site Plan Review (continued)
519 & 505 Main Sts., Imran AM et al
Attorney Mark Favaloro made a brief presentation and distributed the new plan to the
CPDC. The changes to the plan included adding a mirror to the access drive, eliminating
the parking space in front, adding a dumpster spot and conducting soil tests. A deed was
also submitted that described the Right-of-Way. He believes that the revised plan
addresses the remaining issues of parking, driveway access, legal access to the right-of-
way and soil tests.
The CPDC expressed concern with drafting any kind of decision having only received the
plans at the meeting.
NS asked JD if he had any comments.
JD indicated that there were still concerns with the right-of-way, lack of drainage
calculations, and addressing previous comments.
JB moved to continue the Public Hearing to December 27, 2004 at 9:00 P.M. subject to
an executed extension agreement.
JS seconded.
Voted 4:0:0, all in favor.
Atty. Favaloro executed an extension agreement.
JB had some concern that the draft decision that was included with the packets was not
the same one that had been worked on in the last meeting. He asked that CR check and
see if that version was available.
Administrative Review:
By-Law Workshop
➢ Virginia Adams spoke about an upcoming workshop for a Carriage House By-Law on
December 27, 2004.
➢ JD also mentioned that a revised zoning by-law might be coming up regarding
erosion control as part of the NPDES Phase II Storm Water Program.
JB moved to adjourn.
JS seconded.
Voted 4:0.0, all in favor.
These Minutes were prepared by Joe Delaney, Town Engineer, edited by Chris Reilly,
Town Planner and submitted to CPDC on December 27, 2004; the Minutes were
approved as amended on December 27, 2004.
Signed as approved,
Sasso, Secretary
to
C:\My Documents\CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\Mlnutes\CPDCMIN12.13.04.doc