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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-19 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTown of Reading r .,,c 16 Lowell Street _ C'_ F ~r Reading, MA 01867-2683 n " f J Phone: 781-942-9012 Fax: 781-942-9071 Email: crielly@ci.reading.ma.us L Community Planning and Development Commission CPDC MINUTES Meeting Dated: Monday, May 19, 2003 Members Present: Richard Howard (RH), Acting Chair; Paul Devlin (PD), Neil Sullivan (NS), Commissioners Also Present: Chris Reilly (CR), Town Planner; Kelley Meier (KM), Recording Secretary. The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:46 PM. STAFF BRIEFING Walkers Brook Crossing Hours of Construction CR mentioned that there have been some complaints from the neighbors about hours of construction. Attorney Brad Latham representing Dickinson was present and passed out the letter that he received. Attorney Latham also passed out some of RH's comments that were sent out in a memo and updated the Commission about what was going on. The change of hours may be a problem if it is decreased and Attorney Latham hopes that the Commission won't amend them. He passed out the first draft of comments on this issue during the public hearing, with all of his "notes" regarding the hours that were agreed. He had not heard of any complaints. RH will speak with JB and give him an update. No changes were proposed. PRE-APPLICATION SITE PLAN REVIEW 128 Ford Engineer Brian Milisci is present to represent the Applicant. He is from Whitman & Bingham Associates, Inc. There are two, detached buildings on separate lots. The original building proposed for expansion is on some faulty material; the workers keep fixing the floor. The applicant would like to tear down the building and build a larger one in its place. Mr♦ 1Vlilisci explained what the Applicant would Ike to do. CAMy Documents\CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\Minutes 5.19.03.doc The existing showroom would remain so. There is 65% impervious cover on the site; 35% open space. Reading zoning requires 40% open space in the district. Parking is not an issue on the property; the number of spots is way above the number that the By-Laws require. The client would like to have the 65% impervious cover remain. The majority of the property is in Wakefield. The Applicant has spoken with Mr. Dickinson and has requested the Mass Highway PWED plan for the area. Mr. Milisci interpreted that if there is a property that crosses a municipal boundary, they treat it as one parcel and go to the stricter town for compliance with by-laws. The older building is about 40 years old; the younger service building is about 20 years old. The older building is at a 50.2' setback from Walkers Brook Drive. PD would like to know what the Town should get in return for allowing less than open space requirements. Does Reading give something to Wakefield? He would also like to see what the back of the building is going to be. Public Comment -Ruth Clay, 438 Summer Ave: interested in the proposed expansion and the intentions for future use. She is concerned about what is underneath the slabs that were put below the floor in order to reconstruct it. RH mentioned that the Applicant may want to talk to Joe Delaney, Town -1 Engineer. PD agrees. There is a $1.8 million PWED from the State for public works improvements to Walkers Brook Drive. CR will give the Applicant a copy of the plan. The Applicant would like to know who they go to first for the open space waiver; the CPDC or the ZBA. CR advised that the applicant go to the ZBA first. RH wondered if the project is doable with 60% impervious cover, and what the Applicant would give back to the Town in return for a waiver. Brian Milisci questioned whether the open space is grandfathered. NS asked if there would be new signage, but the Applicant doesn't believe so. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW Site Plan Modification -143 Main Street, Angelo Ciano Attorney Josh Latham is present to represent the Applicant, Angelo Ciano. There is a proposed modification to the approved site plan use; the second floor over the house will be a residential dwelling instead of the office space. This changes necessary parking from 9 to 7 spaces. Mr. Latham has spoken to Glen Redmond, Building Inspector. RH made a comment about encouraging mixed use, especially on South Main Street; he also mentioned that they need to go to the ZBA. CAMy Documents\CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\Minutes 5.19.03.doc The first floor would remain as office space. Having the second floor as residential would have less impact. PD asked what the requirements would be if this was already built as residential. RH moved that the CPDC has no objection to having the second floor residential. PD seconded. Voted in favor, 3-0-0. Site Plan Review - 680 Main Street, Venetian Moon Attorney Josh Latham is present to represent the Applicant. They are looking for a Waiver from Site Plan Review. NS asked what minimum distance from a church is required to allow alcohol sales. The distance is 500 feet from any church and there are 4 churches within the 500 feet. Carman Carvino is present and is one of the owners of the restaurant. There has been a big influx of people on the weekends. The Applicant does have a recently approved liquor license, but needs at least 100 seats in the building. The first floor would be handicapped accessible. There will be 40 seats on the top floor and 60 seats in the basement. The Applicant is looking for a Waiver from the State's Architectural Access Board regarding the accessibility requirement for an elevator. There are no exterior site issues and there won't be any need for off-street parking. Mr. Latham went over the emergency exits of particular concern. The basement use will be 768 square feet. RH went over the options for the project. There should be no cooking or liquor poured downstairs. This plan has been discussed with the Police and Fire Department. The Selectmen and Town Manager have been in support of the project. RH would like to grant the waiver with the Condition that CR receives a letter from the Police and the Fire Department saying that they have reviewed the plan and are in favor of it. An architect, John Whitney from Wilmington, has come up with the design. PD mentioned that there are no exit signs for the coffee area downstairs in case someone goes in there and doesn't know where to go. RH would like to grant the waiver with Conditions; he would like CR to come up with a draft approving the Conditions as discussed for the next meeting. PD and NS agree. NS moved to adjourn at 9:05 PM. PD seconded. Voted in favor, 3-0-0. This minutes were done by Kelley Meier, Recording Secretary, edited by Chris Reilly, Town Planner and submitted to the Community Planning and Development Commission on July 14, 2003. CAMy Documents\CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\Minutes 5.19.03.doc The minutes were approved by the CPDC on July 14, 2003. Signed as approved, Michael Flammia Date C:\My Documents\CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\Minutes 5.19.03.doc