HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-08-18 Planning Board MinutesMinutes of the Meeting of August 18, 1982.
Chairman Mitchel called the meeting to order in Room 19, 52 Sanborn
Street at 7:20 P.M. with Board members K. Messina and M. Rich present.
Mr. A. Burne arrived at 7:45 PM. Also present at this meeting were
Tracy Dwyer of the Reading Chronicle and Ms. Virgina Adams from the
Historical Commission. There were approximately 15 citizens present
for the scheduled meeting with Mr. Rivers.
Correspondence
Mail was reviewed including a letter from EOCD re FO ,21 which affects
funding to the Town from Federal and State agercies (exclusive of
school funds). These funds are being held in reserve because the Town
has been found to be "unreasonably restrictive" in�u % °�
opportunities for low and moderate income families.' The t�pes of funds
so affected include: housing, economic development, conservation,
recreation, technical assistance, transportation and parking, sewer
and water systems and federal grants. Funds for the Town's water
loop will be held in reserve until the Town executes an agreement
with EOCD which would formally outline the Town's housing strategies
to answer these problems.
FY '83 Work Program
Overall Development Plan - B. Mitchel
Before receiving this letter from EOCD, the Chairman prepared a draft
letter to be sent to the Chronicle rega:i ri `g the housing problems
the Town is and will be facing. In light 'of this letter from EOCD,
`-he Board voted to insert more specific wording along with a few other
-minor changes and to send this letter post haste to the Chronicle
for distribution in that paper.
The Reading Chronicle
531 Main Street
Reading, MA 01861
Re: Housing
Dear Mr. Morang:
Reading officials are becoming aware that the Town will soon be
facing a housing crisis, which has been growing almost unnoticed
for several years. Their response to this crisis will determine
in very significant ways, the character of the Town in years to ,
come.
The problem was dramatized recently by Governor King's Executive
Order No. 215, which withholds all aid for local development from
those municipalities which are judged to be "unreasonably restric-
tive of new housing growth Funds not only for housing, but also
for economic development, conservation, recreation, technical
assistance, transportation and parking, sewer and water systems
and federal grants would be denied. Preceding this application of
State leverage, the MAPC had warned Reading that no further funds
for Elderly Housing would be available until progress was made in
low and moderate income housing.
August 18, 1982
Page 2
The single - family flavor of Reading is highly prized by its resi-
dents, who have only to look.at Stoneham and Woburn to see the
results of loosely - controlled development. This character is closely'
guarded by Town Meeting through strict interpretation of the Zoning
By- laws, as exemplified by the recent ,defeat of a condominium con-
struction project on South Main Street. Yet at the same time the
Town has sought to avoid any taint of "snob zoning ", by refraining
from multi -acre lot size requirements, and by permitting the develop-
ment of pre - existing isolated "small lots ".
How much longer can Reading sustain this middle -of- the -road policy?
Even without bending to State pressure, the Town will need more
housing units on a limited supply of buildable land. This need
arises primarily from the shrinking size.of the average "family
unit ", reflecting delayed marriages, postponed children, single
parents, and other recent changes in our social structure. Federal
census figures show that Reading housing stock grew 6% from 1970
to 1980, while its population was unchanged. This trend is expected
to continue.
The census also showed certain shifts in our population make -up
which reflect housing policy as well as other'Tactors. One fact
stands out when Reading's age composition is compared with the
nat ion's: statistically we are getting older much faster than
the "average American ". Nationwide, as well as in Reading, the
ranks of the elderly are - growing while those of the very _young are
shrinking; but in Reading an additional phenomenon is the declining
number of young adults (25 -35) in favor of mature adults (.45 -55).
The first two population trends have been well publicized as
declining school enrollment and the elderly housing shortage, but
the latter has been nearly unnoticed. And since the 25 -35 age
group in 1980 was born in the post -war "Baby Boom" of 1945 -1955
and moved the Town to expand its schools in 1960- 1970, it is clear'
that Reading is not keeping its share of these young adults.
Can these disturbing trends be laid to restrictive housing policy,
coupled with inflated home prices and high interest rates? Can a
relaxation of housing policy correct them? Do Reading citizens
want to reverse teem? These are questions which are looking for
answers; we can no longer afford to delay addressing them.
The Planning Board is currently exploring various alternative types
of housing development, with the goal of presenting one of more to
a future Town Meeting. As these studies progress, further letters
will be publicized in the Chronicle. Concerned citizens are
invited to express their opinions either in these pages or to the
Planning Board. It is hoped that an early exchange.of ideas and
concerns, will help; to shorten debate on Town Meeting floor.
Very truly yours,
READING PLANNING BOARD
Barry J. Mitchel, Chairman
Kenneth G. Messina, Clerk
John. W. Shaw
Maureen Rich
Alan R. Burne
August 38, 1982
Page 3
Sanborn Lane Develo
t Proposals -Jack Rivers
Mr. Jack Rivers appeared before the Board at 8:00 P.M. to discuss the
development proposals he has formulated for the area off Sanborn Lane.
Mr. Rivers stated that at present he has under agreement or is nego-
tiating for 95 -115 acres in the area bounded by Dividence Road, Cedar
Glen, Town Forest and the Town wellfields, and Sanborn Lane and the
Ipswich River in the Northerly portion of the Town. He presented
a map with the area of land designated. At present he is constructing
single family homes in the Mill Street portion of land and is contem-
plating some form of cluster zone proposal for the remaining land area.
Mr. Rivers foresaw this concept as the following: With the land area
available draw up a subdivision showing the number of single family
lots under existing zoning. Once this number is established under the_._____,,,,
S20 District, then the SIO dimensional requirments would 'ne be place
on these lots. In essence, he stated that he would not increase he,,
density, but would congregate the housing on shorter,: roadways with
less runoff areas and more'greenspace. He was of the opinion that tins
w especially critical in thi.s,area because of the conservation land
areas in this vicinity. He feels that he would not be ready for a zoning
amendment proposal for this Fall Town Meeting, but would possibly be
ready,,for 198X3Annual Town Meeting. He asked that the Planning Board
help ,work with him on this cluster zoning proposal and would also seek
the input from other Town Boards.
Upon questioning from various Board members Mr. Rivers stated that:
his main motive for seeking a cluster development was a
cost reduction in road construction;
— less roadways meant less water runoff, less cost of road
maintenance and snow removal to the Town
- there would be approximately 100 houses built, in this area
with an average cost of $130,000 each
- greenspace area would e useabhe4 land and notijust wetlands,
ledge, or other unuseable land exclusively.
The Board answered questions from the citizens present and reviewed the
plans presented by Mr. Rivers.
At 9:30 P.M., the Board thanked Mr. Rivers and the citizens for coming
to the meeting and continued with discussion of the listed agenda items.
Most of the citizens left the meeting at this time
Mr. Frank Orlando, MAPC representative for Reading, met with the Board
and briefly stated that he has applied to the MAPC for appointment to
the Technical Advisory Committee on Housing, or on Land Use and Environ
mental Quality. MAPC is presently in its summer recess and will not be
meeting again until September and will have more to report to the Board
at that time.
Ken then gave his
- g presentation on his update of the PUD, PRD
Cluster research he has been.doing. He stated that the Board is now at
a decision point: what kind of development? what areas are available?
single family detached units only? These questions are of major impor -
August 19, 1982
Page 4
tance to the cluster zoning proposal the Town will be.presented to TM.
They will also have a great impact on the character of the Town. It
is up to the Board to see what kind of proposal the Board sees the
Town accepting. This proposal can asnswer the need for some of the
low income family housing the Town will have to propose re: EO #215.
Space Needs Committee - Ken Messina
Mr. Messina reported that the Space Needs committee is presently seeking
input from all Town Boards as tb.their present and future office space
needs. From preliminary investigation, with an addition between the
two buildings, it looks as though the Town Hall/Library combination
will be able, to accomodate all'Town offices, including BPW.
Population Study and Building Reuse
Ms. Rich stated that she was inventorying 6-7 other Town that have
buildings similar in size, age and structure to Reading's and what
the reuse rehabilitation has been on these. She is just in prelim-
inary stages and will have more to report when all the information
she has requested is in hand.
Ms. Rich distributed a preliminary report on accessory apartments,
which is another answer to EO #215. Ms. Rich will enlarge on her
concept and report back to the Board at the next meeting.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of July 14, 1982 were accepted as corrected
unanimously.
By-law Committee zoning amendment proposal
The By-law Committee of the Town has proposed an amendment to the
zoning by-laws of the Town which would el,i ' i:hinate any restrictions
on placement, size, etc of political signs only. After much dis-
cussion, the Board unanimously voted not to endorse such an amend-
ment and Mr. Mitchel will�L_nform the By-law Committee of the same
at.their next meeting.
The Board decided to meet again on Wednesday, September 15, 1982 at
7:130 P.M.
There being no further business before the Board, they unanimously
..,voted to adjourn at 11:03 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Kenneth G. Messina, Clerk.
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