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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-10-27 Planning Board MinutesMinutes of the Meeting of October 27, 1982. Chairman Mitchel called the meeting to order in Room 19, 52 Sanborn Street (the Community Center) with Board members K. Messina and M. Rich present. Housing Accessory Apartments - Ms. Rich reviewed the report of progress presented to the Board on October 13, 1982. Ms. Rich also gave a brief presentation on the status of such legislation in Lynn- field. Lynnfield has proposed a by-law revision that would allow accessory apartments in Residential Districts. This proposal was very restrictive; must be close relationship, 1 year renewal of permit; must be owner-occupied. Approximately 50-650 of the homes eligible for accessory apartments are held in trust and the ownerships are not clear. This By-law proposal lost by 18 votes. Ms. Rich also highlighted the Towns that allow accessory apartments. The question of owner-occupied housing requirement for this use, was discussed. Winchester Town Counsel.stated Tich that he felt that either the age of the property or the ownership requirements were discriminatory, prejudicial and therefore illegal".. Ms. Rich will have to present this to Attorney Cohen for his review before going ahead with a By-law proposal. The Board unanimously accepted this report of progress. Population - There has been no further information available from, the Federal census. The Reading Chronicle recently printed infor- mation that cited Reading's elderly population to be 9.8%; Wakefield - 13.5%; Burlington - 4..6%; Winchester - 12.9% and Woburn 10.3%. Ms. Rich will make a further report after information from the .80 Census becomes available.. C~u4teK PT3p,,.> PUS Mr. Messina presented his findings, as per his report of July 14, 1982. The Board accepted this report of progress unanimously. Mr. Messina will clarify some positions that the Town may be able to take regarding these types of developments, assess their impacts and present his findings to the Board at a subsequent meeting. Condominiums The Board deferred discussion on this matter due to the absence of Mr. Burne, who is researching this matter. 10/27/82 Page 2 The Board will send a letter to John Agnew requesting informa- tion his office may have on population, public land, the need assessment for low and moderate income family housing within the Town, current housing stock and Reports of Progress from IDC, Space Needs Committee and the Blue Ribbon Committee. The Finance Committee unanimously disapproved the Space Needs Committee request for funding under Article 13 on the 82 Fall Town Meeting Warrant Town Land Reuse A letter which had been sent to the Selectmen from the IDC per- taining to the proposed sale of Town-owned land at the Dump Site to 128 Sales, Inc. was reviewed. The Board concurred with the IDC proposal to hold up negotiations for this sale until after the leachate/methane testing had been completed and the report had been rendered. - Resco proposal for a transfer station was deferred until later in the month when Mr. Shaw can give a report on the meeting held by the BPW and Resco on October 25th. Town Meeting Issues Article 32 - Cogen rezoning: The Board reviewed Article 32 and noted that the Wetlands District on to portion of ae`nd could be considered to be included rezoning proposal before Town .Meeting. According to the Conservation Commission, actual land surveys show.that the Wetlands area extends further into the property than is shown on the Zoning Map. The Chairman will con- tact Town Counsel and seek his opinion on'this matter. The Secretary will get input from the Conservation Commission. The Board then reviewed the allowable density under Business A; vs. that allowed under 5-20, as presently coned. The Board will be sure to point out at the public hearing thau this issue is not one of allowing a florist shop to operate in a garage, but rather one that will rezone the entire parcel of land and will allow - a higher density use under the proposed change to Business A. Article 29-Political Signs; Article 30-Signs under 12 Sq. Ft.; and Article 30-Price Signs - The Board deferred taking a vote on these articles until the full complement of the Board was present. Articles 27 and 28-Batchelder Land Swap - A letter will be forwarded to the Conservation Commission supporting the proposed land swap and also applauding the Conservation Commission's presentation and .research on this project. Article 10-Traffic lights at Main and Summer Sts. - Board. discussed the proposal in view of the traffic lights that are to be installed just north of this-intersection at Main and South Streets. The Board voted not to take a position on this article at present. Article 11-Reading Center Improvements - According to the BPW there was supposeto be another informational hearing on these improvements as many changes had been suggested at the first hearing and these were to be incorporated into the proposed plans. As yet there has been no word as to if and when.these meetings will be held. Article 13-Space Needs Committee - By a vote of 10-0 the FinCom will not recommend this article at Town Meeting. Mr. Messina will contact Mr. Higgott for more input so that the Planning Board can make a more informed decision on this proposal. Assignments for reports, motions and presentations was deferred until the full Board was convened. A chart for the Fall Town Meeting will be prepared and ready for Town Meeting. Correspondence The Chairman was in receipt of a letter from William Diamond, attorney for the Brearleys, 885 Main Street,. Reading regarding this Board's and/or Town Counsel's opinion on "required side yard". The Secretary will get letter from Building Inspector denying the Building Permit and will send a letter to Town Counsel requesting his input on this matter. There are other issues that must be addressed in this request and a variance under those portions of the Zoning By-laws will have to be sought. The Chairman will approve the letter before it.is sent to Town Counsel. Chairman Mitchel will speak with Mrs. O'Brien, former Chairman of the Planning Board, regarding the ommission of the word "required" in the last sentence under Section 5.2.3.6. Space Needs Committee Mr. Messina will contact Mr. Higgott regarding the current needs assessments for Town offices and report back to the Board. Meeting Schedule Planning Board meeting, November 4, 1982 at 7 P.M. Board of Appeals hearing, 885 Main Street, Wednesday, November 10, 1982.. There being no further business before the Board, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:55 P.M.