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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-10-27 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTown of 16 Lowell Street Reading Reading, MA 01867-2683 Phone: 781-942-9012 Fax: 781-942-9071 Email: creilly@ci.reading.ma.us Community Planning and Development Commission CPDC MINUTES Meeting Dated: October 27, 2003 Members Present: Chair, Susan DeMatteo (SD), Secretary Neil Sullivan (NS), Jonathan Barnes (JB), Richard Howard (RH) Also Present: Chris Reilly (CR), Town Planner; Joe Delaney (JD), Town Engineer The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:43 PM. RH moved to approve the following minutes with no amendments /additions: 8.29.03 JB seconded. All in favor, 4-0 Administrative Review: Baldwin Lane Extension Request Atty. Brad Latham represented the Applicant, Charles and Ann Hardy, and went over the request for an extension to complete the Baldwin Lane subdivision. The Applicant is requesting an extension to June 30, 2004; the current extension expires in February and utilities still need to be installed. There will not be enough time to pave because the asphalt plants are closing soon. Binder course will be laid on Friday, October 31. JD explained that it seemed like a reasonable request. RH moved to extend to June 30, 2004. NS seconded. All in favor, 4-0. Pondview Lane Subdivision Request. The Applicant was not present so the matter was deferred. RH instructed CR to schedule the Applicant for the next available meeting. CAMy Documents\CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\Minutes\Minutes 10.27.03.doc Approved Subdivision Tracking Quarterly Reports RH talked about the draft matrix in the packets and what additional information might be useful. The number of lots approved and number of building permits issued should be added. JD is concerned about keeping the information on one sheet so it is concise and readable. He had a question on what date should be indicated for approval. CR advised that the date the appeal period expires, or 21 days after the approval, should be used to calculate the expiration. SD and JB want the expiration date to be indicated. JB asked what else should go in the "milestones" information. RH mentioned putting in dates going forward rather than tracking what was already done. JD suggested looking into conditioning a 10% retainage for the entire project in future approvals, rather than for certain milestones. JD and CR have talked about centralizing and standardizing record-keeping on subdivisions to better track milestones and requirements. There are good forms for this purpose. JD thinks we should increase bond amounts for as-built plans. The tracking system will be revised and ready for a December roll-out. CPDC Review: Barrows Presentation Present were: Robert Pierce and Jay Carr for the design consultant, Flansburgh; Superintendent Pat Schettini from the School Department; and AI3, the design manager. JB suggested doing a CPDC site walk. Robert Pierce talked about the project and the objectives. Two additions are planned: a gynasium and media center. The existing modular units will be removed and parking will be added; 29 parking spaces are planned. Stairs and a plaza will replace the existing main entrance. The existing play area in the rear will serve as access, connected by a pedestrian pathway around the gymnasium to the.front. The current basketball court may become parking; this decision depends largely on funding. The access to the lower playground will be via a site path. Edgemont Avenue will have curb cut-outs for drop-off; the trees will be preserved. The dumspter and service access will be in front. The enrollment will remain at a projected level of 436. There will be paved, emergency access from the parking lots around the rear, with-mountable-curbs and signage to restrict-traffic - - - - - CAMy Documents\CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\NCnutes\Minutes 10.27.03.doc SD was pleased with the landscaping. Mr. Pierce talked about the dumpster and how it would be screened. JD discussed the DRT results and Town staff requests; widened bump-outs all the way down to Stewart Road will help traffic flow. JD talked about access all the way around the site and whether the basketball court could be oriented along the gym.. Mr. Pierce described the elevations and facade; primarily a red brick. The existing school is attractive; they are just trying to bookend it. JD had questions about the Gym roof slope and Jay Carr stated that the design load on the gym is based on likely winds and resulting snow drifts. There will be screening for the roof mechanicals. JB wants to provide formal comments to the School Committee. CR will prepare draft comments for CPDC review before they are sent out. RMHS Presentation Present were design consultants Pam Schadley from Carol R. Johnson Associates and Dave Capaldo from Design Partnership. Pam Schadley gave a presentation. Two-way vehicle access around the buildings was an objective. The main access will be off of Oakland Road; one-way in and one-way out. There will be a 6- bay parking area for maintenance vehicles around the rear. Buses will enter off of Oakland and stack in a one way corridor in front; drop- offs will access a separated parking area adjacent to the stacking area. The goal here was to divide circulation for safe separation. There will be field house egress to Birch Meadow Drive for Town elections, etc. The School Department requested 570 parking spaces; the site plan indicates 573. The main field will be synthetic and enlarged to allow for soccer use, and will be fenced in. A 6-lane track will be provided with natural turf on the field ends. The practice field will be synthetic if funding permits. The Little League field will be rebuilt with a similar footprint; site grading will create fill for resurfacing. The site is ADA compliant except for the slope in front. Pat Capaldo presented. There will be a memorial in the front entrance. The library will slope to the Field House. A glass lobby will connect the Field House to the main building. The new auditorium will replace the existing one. The elevated bridge will connect the Field House with high school. SD asked about illumination. There will be lighting sufficient for security and vehicle and pedestrian access. There will be 3 phrases in the construction sequence: the new classroom wing will be constructed Phase 1; Phase 2 will involve occupying the new wing, CAMy Documents\CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\Minutes\Minutes 10.27.03.doc vacating the existing science area and constructing the Field House; Phase 3 will complete the parking and will be done in September 06. - The dumpster will be in back and the mechanicals will be on roof. SD asked about screening. Visible mechanicals will be screened. JB commented that the rear haul road for construction is a good idea but the impact to abutters should be reviewed. JD talked about the watermain; placement of the synthetic practice field will determine the location so this needs to be coordinated. NS asked about environmental measures such as alternative energy sources. The buildings will use natural light where possible but standard utilities will be. The DRT had concerns about pedestrian connections and maintenance that seemed to have been addressed where possible. The site is challenging because of steep slopes. Future DRTs will address utilities and drainage issues. CR will draft CPDC comments for review before they are distributed. Staff Briefing: CR went over the Local Initiative Program (LIP) application that was submitted for Salem Street. Thirty-six units are proposed in an age-restricted development. This application will go before the Selectmen first and then to the State and finally the ZBA. CR will update the CPDC as the application moves forward and at the appropriate time after it has been in the public hearing comments can be drafted to submit to the BOS. RH moved to adjourn. NS seconded. All in favor, 4-0 The meeting was adjourned at 10:21 PM. These minutes were prepared by Chris Reilly, Town Planner and submitted to the Community Planning and Development Commission on November 24, 2003. The minutes were approved as amended by the CPDC on November 24, 2003. Signed as approved, Neil Sullivan Date C:\My Documents\CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\Minutes\Minutes 10.27.03.doc