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Home My WebLink About2004-05-24 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTown of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2683 Phone: 781-942-9012 Fax: 781-942-9071 Email: creilly@dreading.ma.us COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RECEIVED TOWN CLERK R'rLAI)ING, MASS. 1004 JUL I ~ A 11: 0 S CPDC MINUTES Meeting Dated: May 24, 2004 Members Present: Chair, Susan DeMatteo (SD), Jonathan Barnes (JB), Richard Howard (RH), Neil Sullivan (NS). Also Present: Chris Reilly (CR), Town Planner The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. PUD Design Review Walkers Brook Crossing, LLC- The Crossing at Walkers Brook Ed Shaw represented the Applicant and reviewed the circumstances behind his request: at the May 10, 2004 CPDC meeting the signage for Linen and Things and Staples was a concern and the Commission had reservations about approving the design submission with such large signage for those locations. After Mr. Shaw conferred with Staples and Linens and Things about reducing the signage area they have agreed to limit the lettering to 5' and he is requesting design review approval for the submitted application. RH noted that the scale of the signage on the renderings did not appear consistent with the legend. JB felt that the Lines and Things lettering should be reduced further to be consistent with the Staples lettering at.5'. RH moved to approve the design review for the Staples and Linens and Things signage, as .indicated on submitted renderings, subject to a lettering height limitation of 5' and further design review of the signage for Phase 2 given the discrepancies in the renderings with the signage area legend. JB seconded. Voted 4-0-0, all in favor. Approval Not Required (ANR): Michael and Catherine O'Meara-17 Selfridge Road The Applicant has arranged to purchase an abutting parcel and is seeking to combine the parcel with their existing residential lot. RH moved to endorse the ANR plan, dated April 20, 2004, for 17 Selfridge Road. NS seconded. Voted 4-0, all in favor Public Hearing, Planned Unit Development Special Permit: Johnson Woods (a.k.a. Longwood Farm) Planned Urban Development (PUD) Final PUD Plan Special Permit Application NS read the legal ad. Attorney Brad Latham, Engineer Bill Bergeron and Architect Jim Velleco represented the Applicant, Ted Moore. Bill Bergeron gave a presentation on the Final PUD Plan. The overall site plan layout is still consistent with Preliminary PUD Plan approval. There are now 426 proposed parking spaces on site; spaces were increased by revised drainage design. In the 2 garden style flat buildings: 1 will have 12 units, the other 1 lunits. There will be cross sewer ties into Enos and Kelch. The sewer design is sufficient; most of it is gravity fed to the west. Individual grinder pumps will be utilized in some areas. The final hydrant layout has been approved by Fire Dept. As indicated on the plans 3 former 3 bedroom market units were converted to 6 affordable units in townhouses. The Applicant has been in the public hearing with the Conservation Commission working on addressing their concerns before finalizing the plans for the Final PUD Plan application to CPDC. Mr. Bergeron has had several meetings with Town Engineer and Conservation Administrator to address site drainage issues and refine the drainage design; the Conservation plans are now consistent with Final PUD Plans and they are awaiting final drainage design refinement with Town Engineer. Additional stormwater management area was included and subsurface stormwater detention has been introduced; basins have eliminated which will allow meadow landscaping. The subsurface drainage is expensive but improves aesthetics. They have maintained 59% open space. The construction phasing is similar to the proposed schedule in the Preliminary PUD Application. Mr. Velleco gave a presentation on the building layouts and elevations and landscaping design. The tree line is in concert with regrading plan; they need flexibility to take down dead trees. The Landscaping Plan indicates benches, gazebos, annuals and water features. Elevators have been introduced in the garden style flats. CR went over the DRT conducted on May 17, 2004. The Savarino access appears to be void pending Town Counsel review. A professional landscaping service should be required. The tot lot location and design are needed. Landscaping in the cul de sacs near the affordable units is needed. 1,400 sq. ft. for affordable units appears adequate but garages should be included, as with other affordable units in the flats. The temporary nursery proposed to service the site needs restrictions; CR was concerned about impacts on the affordable units. - Anywells for irrigation could be health issue and should be reviewed by the Health Administrator. The proposed Health Club needs a 911 line. Town easements are subject to Town Engineer review/approval. 2 SD asked CR to go over memos from the Town Engineer and Conservation Administrator. CR suggested continuing the public hearing given the time and remaining Agenda items. JB moved to continue to June 14 at 8:30 PM. RH seconded. Voted 4-0-0, all in favor. Public Hearing, Site Plan Review: James D'Amico, 32 Lincoln Street (Depot) NS read the legal ad. Jim D'Amico was present and gave a presentation on his application. He wants to open a, small coffee cafe within the vacant kitchen area of the Depot, which is currently occupied by his real estate office. He is proposing to replace a door and do some interior renovations to install equipment for the cafe. RH had questions on the door replacement and exterior modifications; had Mr. D'Amico considered a keeping the exterior consistent with existing conditions? The proposed door appeared to be quite different from what is there now. SD noted that the Historic Commission was present and they had submitted a memo to the Commission; she requested their input. Clay Jones, Historic Commission Chairman, went over their memo and what the Historic Commission's concerns were. They want the door replaced with a similar door to preserve the historic architectural style and want to review the existing condition of the kitchen to ensure that nothing historically significant is removed. They do not want the proposed awning. Mr. D'Amico said he was amendable to working with the Historic Commission, although, he didn't think he could find a door similar to what currently exists and he was proposing a solid door for security reasons. CR prepared a draft decision and he suggested that the Commission review the Conditions. Condition 11 was reviewed, which incorporated the Historic Commission's memo into the Decision. JB had concerns about the signage and wanted to clarify Condition 4 to clearly state the signage for the coffee cafe shall be wooden with wooden lettering or engraving. RH moved to close the public hearing. JB seconded. Voted 4-0-0, all in favor. RH moved to approve the site plan, dated April 13, 2004, and the Floor Plan, dated December, 2003, for 32 Lincoln Street, subject to the Conditions as amended in the draft Decision. JB seconded. Voted 4-0-0, all in favor. Minutes RH moved to approve the minutes of May 10, 2004, with the noted amendments. _ _NS seconded. Voted 4-0-0, all in favor. 3 Administrative Review: Signage Site Walk The notes from the Signage Site Walk conducted on May 8, 2004 were reviewed and the CPDC made editorial suggestions on the content and format; CR will prepare a draft letter to accompany the notes that will outline the CPDC's recommendations to the Chamber of Commerce on signage approval and compliance. RH suggested including language that clarifies that internally illuminated signage is not allowed in the Business B district; he has noticed quite a lot of this and the CPDC did not cover this on their site walk. Town Planner Review The CPDC went over the Town Planner's self-evaluation and prepared comments to be submitted to the Town Manager. RH moved to adjourn. NS seconded. Voted 4-0, all in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 11: 00 PM. These minutes were prepared by Chris Reilly, Town Planner and submitted to CPDC on June 14, 2004; the minutes were approved as amended by CPDC on June 14, 2004. Signed as approved, Neil Sullivan 4