Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-24 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTOWN OF READING v-I ED 16 Lowell Street" IT CLERK Reading, MA 01867-2683 11 % j S S. Phone: 781-942-9012 Fax: 781-942-9071 i 18- P 4: 18 Email: creilly@ci.reading.ma.us COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION CPDC MINUTES Meeting Dated: February 24, 2003 Members Present: Jonathan Barnes(JB), Chairman; Michael Flammia (MF), Secretary; Richard Howard (RH), Neil Sullivan, (NS), Paul Devlin (PD), Commissioners. Also Present: Chris Reilly, Town Planner (CR); Kelley Meier (KM), Recording Secretary. The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:43 PM. RH moved to approve the following minutes were approved with/ without amendments or editions: January 27, 2003 - RH approves, NS seconds. Voted in favor, 3-0-0. January 27,2003: Executive Session - RH approves, NS seconds. Voted in favor, 3-0-0. February 10, 2003: Executive Session - RH approves, NS seconds. Voted in favor, 3-0-0. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW Extension - Texaco Site Plan, 87 Walkers Brook Drive Mark Galanto, Torn Healey, Nick Balboni and Fran Bozman are present. Mark Galanto is the attorney and requests an extension of the site plan approved for this site in March 12, 2001. They have gone in front of Conservation Commission and extended the Order of Conditions. The approved site plan permit will expire on March 12, 2003. CR stated that there have been no requested revisions to the site plan. Mr. Galanto mentioned that the applicant was in front of the Commission in May 2001 for modification of the approved site plan, to change the sign from Texaco to Shell JB discussed requiring a schedule of what was going to happen with the project over the course of the 2-year extension. RH proposed a semi-annual review for approved site plans and subdivisions to update the Commission. RH mentions that Jordan's Furniture and Home Depot have not closed vet. All the abutters are commercial. C:\My Documents\CPDC\Agenda-Minutes\CPDC Minutes 2.24.03.doc Last printed 04/14/03 7:35 PM Created by ggr Created on 03/04/031:09 PM TOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Minutes for Meeting dated: February 24, 2003 All of the permits have been updated. No curb cuts are proposed. Everything has been approved by the Town Engineer. There are complete construction plans. The extension was requested because funding for the project was pulled from the applicant by their Corporate Office after 9/11/01, putting construction on hold. They have received word that the funding is available once more. The applicant attests that this project will be done well within the two-year extension, if granted. RH proposed extending the deadline for completion of the approved site plan and asked whether it should be for 1 or 2 years. JB repeated that there should be some sort of review schedule so that the Commission has an idea on what is going on before delayed projects end up back in the hearing for extensions. He resents what he feels is short notice on these issues. NS mentioned that there was some concern with the sign, as the site is a gateway into Reading. RH moved to extend the permit for 87 Walkers Brook Drive to March 12, 2005, based upon the letter dated February 10, 2003. NS seconds. PD arrives at 8:16 PM. Voted in favor, 3-0-1. 8:20 PM - PRE-APPLICATION SITE PLAN REVIEW: WINGATE AT READING, 1364 MAIN STREET Atty. Bill Shevil was present with Will Slarsic. Will Slarsic is a Vice President with Wingate, which operates an assisted living facility at 1364 Main Street. They're here for pre-application site plan review on proposed additions and site modifications. Mr. Shevil discussed the project and has been in front of the Conservation Commission. He needs site plan approval and a special permit from the ZBA. Will Slarsic talked about the rationale for the project. There is a health care crisis exacerbated by a 5,000 bed decrease in assisted living facilities, which has greatly increased demand for beds. For example, Brighton has lost 500 beds in the past year. Wingate is a very stable development. There are 123 beds within 3 wings, consisting of 41 beds on each floor. Department of Public Health regulations allow a 12-bed increase once in the lifetime of the nursing home. This site is very narrow and short. It is very challenging. They have been in front of the Conservation Commission 2 or 3 times already and would like to start the site plan process with the CPDC. Page 2 of 3 TOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Minutes for Meeting dated: February 24, 2003 There would be 2, 3 floor additions, with 4 beds added per floor. A wooden deck would be added over an existing patio. The applicant would like to replace pavement in the fire lane with a pervious layer made of paver block, to avoid increasing impervious cover. The site is in the Acquifer Protection District. The impervious cover would be sturdy enough to drive on and would also allow grass to grow through it. There would be trees taken out so that there would be enough room for the Fire Lane. MF arrives at 8:31 PM. There would be few changes to the staff. There are enough parking spots for the workers and guests, as of right now. During overlaps, employees park in the Homegoods parking lot. There is an agreement with Homegoods for parking, but not in writing. The Order of Conditions has not been closed yet, which they are working to resolve. They will come before the Commission with their Civil Engineer when they formally apply for Site Plan Review. The Fire Department requires an 18' fire lane, but the applicant cannot find any regulations that require 18'. Regardless, they will try to meet the requirement. The paved area is active recreation, such as walking, for the residents. In the DRT they attended there was a request for a staircase from Homegoods to Wingate. However, the applicant feels it is too steep between the two parking lots. As requested in the DRT, the applicant will give the Town permission to ticket for blocking fire lanes. They understand the issues and concerns with the proposed site plan and how they need to address them. RH mentions that he would like to see as many items resolved as possible before the public hearing. It is in best interest of the Commission. JB mentions that he would like to see more parking and what the applicant can do to increase it. RH mentions that he would like to see the 12 beds added. Given demand it would be a good thing for the Town if done properly and it is in the best interest of the applicant and Commission. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW Certificate of Appropriateness - Comcast, 580 Main Street CR updates the Commission. He spoke with the property owner, Ms. Tambone, who doesn't want to submit a master signage plan and thinks the applicant s ou.. recoive a Certificates-of_Appro-xiateness-for-.the sign_proposed. Page 3 of 3 TOWN OF READING COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Minutes for Meeting dated: February 24, 2003 RH thinks that the Commission should approve the Certificate of Appropriateness and send it out. CR spoke with the Building Inspector and updated the Commission on his opinion on the relevant by-law. CR also spoke briefly about the signage by-law in Melrose that the Commission had inquired about. The CPDC has to make a decision on this Certificate by March 24, 2003; 45 days after it was first sent in to the Commission. RH goes over what the Commission would like to see, e.g. material, colors, design, and therefore will approve. CR will amend the Sign Review Process guide for review at the next meeting. STAFF BRIEFING Master Plan Review CR goes over the pre-visioning meeting that occurred on Wednesday, February 12, 2003. April 9, 2003 has been scheduled with MAPC for the Visioning Session. April 16, 2003 is the alternate date. The time will be 7-10 PM. The doors at Coolidge Middle School will open at 6:30 PM for an informational session. CR goes over the Reading Community Visioning Day flier. CR is open to t comments and questions. The Commission goes over some edits. -The Commission goes over the Town Planner Evaluation. Motion to adjourn at 10:06, made by NS, seconded by RH. All in favor, 5-0-0. These minutes were prepared by Kelley Meier, Recording Secretary, edited by Chris Reilly, Town Planner, and submitted to the CPDC on March 10, 2003. Minutes were approved by the CPDC on March 10, 2003. Flammia, Secretary Page 4 of 3