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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-09-29 Planning Board MinutesMinutes of the.Meeting of September 29, 1982 The meeting was called to order at 7:05 P.M. by K. Messina with Board members A. Burne, J. Shaw and M. Rich present. B. Hewitt from the League of Women Voters and E. Murphy from the Finance Committee were also present. At 7:10 P.M. Chairman B. Mitchel presided over discussion of agenda items, as listed. Town Meeting Zoning Articles The Board reviewed the articles related to zoning: Article 29 - Political signs, sponsored by Law Committee - Public Hearing for this was scheduled for Wednesday, October 20, 1982 at 8 PM; Article 30 - Permit for signs under 12 sq. ft. - PB article Public Hearing for this was scheduled for Wednesday, October 20, 1982 at 7:15 PM; Article 31 - Price signs - PB article - Public Hearing for this was scheduled for Wednesday, October 20, 1982 at 8:45 PM. Article 32 - Rezoning of Cogan land on North Main Street By petition - Public Hearing for this was scheduled for Wednesday, October 27, 1982 at 7:30 PM. In reviewing the articles as presented on the Fall Town Meeting Warrant, it appears that the By-law Committee's political sign article has been changed since their draft presentation to this Board. The Chairman will review these changes and report back to the Board at a later date. The Board also reviewed the/rezoning of the Coganproperty on North Main Street. HOUSING The Chairman received word that the Selectmen have signed the agreement between EOCD and the Town relating to EO #215. This has also been endorsed by the Housing Authority. Chairman Rosenthal has stated to the Chairman that the agreement was signed as written and requested the Planning Board to take action on endorsing this agreement at their earliest possible convenience. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted to endorse the agreement from EOCD. This agreement is between EOCD and the Town of Reading concerning Housing Development and 1805' Water Systems Funding. Once this agreement has been signed off by all concerned parties, the funds to the Town should be forth- coming. September 29, 1982 Page 2 The Selectmen's staff have been studying housing as it applies. to the applications that office makes to both the Federal and State governments for funding. Chairman Rosenthal not=ed that these studies are different in intent and scope from that being performed by the Planning Board. Bothr-Chairman Rosenthal and Executive Secretary, John Agnew, haoffered to meet with this Board to discuss housing issues relative to the Town. The Board thought that a meeting date of October 13, 1982 at 8 PM should be suggested to Mr. Agnew. If this date is mutually acceptable, then a 45 minute discussion should be sufficient to cover this matter. The Board also suggested that Mr. Jeff Beckwith, the new assistant in the Selectmen's office, be invited to attend. The Secretary will forward a letter to Mr. Agnew. The housing studies of the Planning Board will have reports of progress ready for presentation on the following schedule; Maureen Rich will present on accessory apartments at 9 PM, Oct. 6; Alan Burne will present on October 6, after Ms. Rich; Ken Messina will present on @~g".01)er- October 6 following Mr. Burne. John Shaw will make his presentation on new developments within the Town on October 13, at 9 PM; Barry Mitchel will outline his report.on Elderly and Family housing and the Overall Development Plan on October 13, following Mr. Shaw. Citizen Participation Ms. Hewitt asked what Chapter 705 "Scattered Site Housing" was. Chairman Mitchel responded that this funding is for rehabilitating homes for. low and moderate family housing on privately owned sites. A question of whether this applied to families in crisis, children of broken homes, etc. was raised. More information on 1705' funding will be obtained to answer this question. FALL TOWN MEETING WARRANT The Board reviewed matters of interest on the Fall Town Meeting Warrant. Articles 26 and 27 - Land Swap of Batchelder property; Board will be forwarded.copies of these articles in their mailing so that they can review the material before next week,'s scheduled meeting with the Conservation Commission. The prime question of concern was the use of this land as recreational facility, raised by the Recreation Committee. Further discussion on this matter was deferred until the scheduled meeting. Article 20 - Appointment for vacancies; The Board was unclear as to what the intent of this proposal was. The Town's By-laws will be researched and this article forwarded in the mailing to the membei,:.._! Article 28 - Land off Aurele and Benton Circle; BPW will be asked September 29, 1982 Page 3 for particulars on this article. Article 11 - Improvements to Reading Central Business District; A letter from the State has been received in which an award in the amount of $450,000 has been given to the BPW for downtown improvements. An inquiry will be made to the BPW to see if they plan to have any other meetings to apprise the public on the improvements and suggestions made at the public hearing that may ;have been incorporated into this plan. Article 13 - Space Needs Committee have asked for funds to study and draw plans to rehabilitate and make additions to the present -'Town Hall-Library complex to accommodate all Town personnel. The Space Needs Questionnaire will be forwarded to the Chairman to be completed and sent to the Space Needs Committee. Article 18 - Any violation of the Town's By-laws will carry a $300 fine for each offense rather than the $50 fine as presently enforced. Article 10 - Asks for funding to install traffic lights at Main and Summer Avenue. Article 24 - This article proposes that the Law Committee have sole authority to set forth regulations for access to Town Counsel. MEETING SCHEDULE Planning Board meetings - October 6, 1982 @7 PM; ConCom @8 PM; Reports.from 9 PM. October 13, 1982 @7 PM; J. Agnew @8 PM; Reports from 9 PM. October 20, 1982 @7 PM; October 27, 1982 07 PM. Public Hearings- October 20, 1982 - 7:15-Article 30 - Sign permits; 8:00-Article 29 - Political signs; 8:45-Article 31 - Price signs; October 27, 1982 - 7:30-Article 32 - Rezoning Cogan,property September 30, 1982 - Board of Appeals, Spence Farm - M. Rich will attend. November 8, 1982 - Opening of Fall Town Meeting. TAX TITLE LAND The Board reviewed some of the available tax title land, but deferred any action on this matter until a subsequent meeting. September 29, 1982 Page 4 CORRESPONDENCE The Board.reviewed the mail received. A letter from EOCD re: "Bargain Sales" was referred to the Secretary for forwarding to both the Reading Housing Authority and Historical Commission. There being no further business before the Board, it was unani- mously voted to adjourn at 9:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kenneth G. Messina, Clerk kgm/p