HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-04-14 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@ci.reading.ma.us
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND
CPDC MINUTES
Meeting Dated: April 14, 2003
,r F
.S11
L
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Members Present: Jonathan Barnes(JB), Chairman; Michael Flammia(MF), Secretary;
Richard Howard (RH), Commissioners.
Also Present: Joseph Delaney, Town Engineer (JD); Chris Reilly, Town Planner (CR);
Kelley Meier (KM), Recording Secretary.
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:41 PM.
The following Minutes were approved with/without amendments or editions:
3.24.03
RH moves to accept the minutes of 3.24.03 as amended. MF seconds. Voted in
favor, 3-0-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
Finagle a Bagle-Review of Police Detail
The owners are present: Alan Lichman and Laura Trust.
The applicants were in front of the Commission when adding the drive-thru this
past summer.
They opened the drive thru on October 24.
Mr. Lichman mentioned that they have had the police detail on Tuesday
mornings from 10-11 for a promotional event involving a free singer who
entertains children. They have the letter from the Chief of Police stating that
there were no problems. The police detail is expensive. They have changed the
direction of the entire lot, so that cars can only enter from the street. They have
17 stores and the Music Man plays at a few of them. Due to the expense they
would prefer to stop the police detail, which must be hired for a minimum of 4
hours.
PUBLIC COMMENT
-Erin Calvo,128 Main Street: she and her child look forward to Tuesday
mornings with the Music Man, as do many parents.
CAMy Documents\CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\CPDC Minutes 4.14.03.doc
Last printed 09/17/03 9:58 AM
Created by ggr
Created on 05/01/03 4:51 PM
TOWN OF READING
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Minutes for Meeting dated: April 14, 2003
The police details were directing traffic down Knollwood Drive for safety
concerns.
CR read a letter from Michelle Kramer, 19 Knollwood Drive. She is the only
resident that CR has heard from to date.
RH recommended to suspend the police detail for the time being and ask the
owner to make an announcement to patrons to park only on the south-side of
Knollwood Road. If a problem persisted, CPDC will revisit the police detail
requirement.
JD mentioned that the vehicles would need to make a U-turn to park on the
south-side of Knollwood Drive.
RH made a motion to approve the following revisions to the approved site plan:
suspended police detail, parking only the north side of Knollwood Road, and
subsequent review of the police detail as warranted. MF seconds.
MF suggested that families carpool, but it was noted that car seats area problem.
The CPDC voted in favor of the motion, 3-0-0.
Vacating of Linnea Lane Cul de Sac
JD updated the Commission, and passed out a diagram on the area.
A similar event occurred on Lucy Lane a few years ago.
There are utilities that have been abandoned for some time that would need a
Town easement. The "kidney shape" would betaken out and two homes would
be extending their driveways. This is already on the Warrant. Both homeowners
have requested this.
MF moves to recommend to the Town Meeting Article 18, based upon the
request of the land owners. RH seconds. Voted in favor, 3-0-0.
APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED PLAN
Debbie Stackpole-186 Summer Avenue
Attorney Mark Favalaro is present to represent Debbie Shontz-Stackpole.
Mr. Favalaro goes over what the applicant would like to do.
The homeowners' property abuts Parker Middle School and is a nonconforming
lot. The frontage is 80 feet and the lot is approximately 10,000 square feet.
Attorney Favalaro contends this remains a buildable lot.
The Commission has no problem allowing this; it's a matter of whether the By-
Laws allow it.
RH moves to endorse this plan subject to Town Counsel approval. MF seconds.
Voted in favor, 3-0-0.
David Donovan - Map 79, Parcels 32 and 49
CR updates the Commission.
Page 2 of 4
TOWN OF READING
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Minutes for Meeting dated: April 14, 2003
This is subject to an Order of Conditions, issued by the Conservation
Commission.
The applicant would like to combine the two lots.
This was reviewed by Fran Fink today and she signed off on it.
There was a house on the property that burnt down.
RH moves to make a motion to endorse an ANR for this site. MF seconds. Voted
in favor, 3-0-0.
PRE-APPLICATION SITE PLAN REVIEW
Exxon - 8 Walkers Brook Drive
Matthew Smith is from Bohler Engineering, Joe Prizio is the proprietor.
Mr. Prizio runs a few other stations, and recently acquired the rights to this
operation.
Mr. Smith went over what they would like to do.
The lot is a little over a half an acre.
There are apartments behind the station, single family houses across Lakeview
Road, new development beyond the brook and industries across Walkers Brook
Drive.
As currently proposed, there may be some sort of coffee shop included in a
convenient store within the existing footprint. This is owned by Tasco, not by
Mr. Prizio.
They are looking for feedback from the Commission.
RH is concerned about the apartments that are located in the back, particularly
the lights, noise, music, etc. from the drive-thru.
This is already a highly-accessed area and traffic will increase with the new PUD
under construction next door. A police detail might be required for excessive
queuing at the drive- thru.
The size of the canopy will not be changing. There are some trees on the fence -
line that abut residential units. Joe Prizio feels the property needs to be
upgraded quickly. The plan could change a bit; the site plan is based on a
survey.
The Commission provided general comments about circulation, parking and
traffic, the proposed drive-thru, screening and design.
ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
Sign Review Guidelines
CR updated the Commission on revisions.
CR added some pictures to the existing Sign Review Guidelines.
The text has not been edited recently. CR would like the Commission to review
the existing text and provide edits and comments on what they want to see.
Page 3 of 4
TOWN OF READING
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Minutes for Meeting dated: April 14, 2003
This will be distributed with the signage application, and will be also on the web
page.
Motion to adjourn at 9:34 PM, made by RH, seconded by ME All in favor, 3-0-0.
These minutes were prepared by Kelley Meier, Recording Secretary, edited by Chris
Reilly,Town Planner, and submitted to the CPDC on May 5, 2003.
Minutes were approved by the CPDC on May 5, 2003.
Signed as approved:
Michael Flammia, Secretary Date
Page 4 of 4