HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-03-31 Planning Board MinutesR
Minutes of the Meeting of March 31 1982.
The meeting was called to order by K. Messina at 7:40 P.M. in Room 19,
52 Qanborn Street (the Community Center) with Board. members M. Rich
and A. Burne present. Chairman Mitchel was attending the Reading
Wastewater_ Committee meeting at Town Hallo
The Board reviewed the issues relative to the 8 P.M. scheduled pub--
lic hearing on Article 27 - rezoning of land at 259-267 Main Street.
Among the matters discussed. were:
- the letter from the Reading Conservation Commission regarding
the area of Wetlands in these parcels of land and applicable
restrictions;
- 196P Town Meeting decision which rezoned Belmont Arms to A40;
- Density of development with current zoning vs. A40 rezoning
proposal.
At 7:50 P.I.M. 'the Chairman arrived and continued the discussion.
At 7:58 P.M. the Board, adjourned to the Community Center Auditorium
to conduct the public hearing of Article 27, the rezoning of an
additional 100 feet of land from 150 feet to 250 feet from the
center line of "!Cain Street in the area located at 259-267 Main Street
from the present S10 zoning to the proposed. A40 rezoning,
After the public hearing, the Board reconvened in the Planning Board
office at 10.20 P.M.
The Board discussed their general philosophy regarding the future
development of the Town including -
the population study reflecting a high density of the
nonulation in the over 59 nears of age bracket,
the encroachment of higher density development in dingle
family districts;
- the need for a Master Plan which would incorporate more
diverse forms of housings
- need for affordable housing in mid-price range,
- the need of proper traffic and safety precautions in the South
"!Cain Street area from the Stoneham line to the center of Town;
- an opinion from Town Counsel relative to„the concept of incor-
porating restrictions into rezoning.
The Board then continued discussion on the listed agenda items.
TOWN MEETING ISSUES
Article 26 - Use Variances - The Board reviewed the letter from EOCD,
Don Schmidt, stating that "use variances" should be granted in the
°rare case" where special conditions would justify the granting of
a use variance; "changes in use should be undertaken through the
zoning amendment process"; among issues related to said variances.
MAPC legal counsel, Joel Bard, concurred with this view as well
as Town Counsel, Ted Cohen. The only additional opinion expressed
was with the reuse of school and/or municipal buildings and that
the more restricted regulations would pose a problem if the-land
and area were rezoned allowing greater density than if a use
variance was granted. Use variances could also allow review
which rezoning could not.
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March 31, 1982
The Board asked the Secretary to contact Town Counsel for an opinion
regarding the possibility of~transferring like authority for "use
variances" from the Board of Appeals to Town Meeting witriout the
necessity of rezoning.
Finances
Updating Zoning Maps - The Secretary was requested to prepare the
necessary information for the Finance. Committee regarding the esti-
mates for updating the Town Zoning Maps. The estimate from the
Board of Public FVTork.s should be revised to include up to 1982 changes
and signed by Bill Bergeron before: submission to Fincom..
The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 11:48 P.M. to discuss
personnel matters..
After discussion the Board unanimously voted to request a reclassi-
fication from Secretary, Grade 5 to Administrative Assistant, Grade 7
for Board's part--time position. This upgrading should incorporate
the followings
- knowledge of local zoning laws as well as Chapter 40A, M.G.L.
- self-supervisory position with general direction from Board
- word processing ability as the Town's Zoning By-laws are
stored on School Department's word processor;
- assumption of many of the functions previously performed by
a professional Town Planner;
- interaction with public, Town Boards, local, State and. Federal
agencies and liason with Town Counsel for Board.
The Board will meet on Wednesday,, April 7, 1982 at 7.30. P.M. before
the scheduled, public hearing on Article 26 (Room 18 8 P.M-)
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted
to adjourn at !1.59 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Kenneth G. Messina