HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-10-06 Planning Board MinutesMinutes of the Meeting of October 6, 1980
Chairman Zorabedian called the meeting to order at 7:38'P in
Room 19, 52 S----with John Shaw, Barry Mitchel and Joseph Sturm
present. Mr. Phil Pacino of the Finance Committee, Ms. Tracy
Dwyer from the Reading Chronicle and Mr. Doug Wade from John
St. Exxon Station were also in attendance.
Parking lot at Union and Middle Streets
An estimate for the work to be done at the Union & Middle St.
parking lot together with a sketch of the lot and a breakdown
of the costs was received from the Board of Public Works. The
total estimated cost was $33,150 for 42 spaces. with the following
breakdown:
Drainage - $7,000; 25 standard spaces,
Sidewalks- 3,000; for 14 compact; and
Paving 23,000; 3 handicapped.
Line pntg- 150.
Mr. Pacino warned of opposition by Fi.nCom to this article. The
discussion among the Board members included selling this piece
of property and get the tax revenue.
The Chairman felt that the present estimate was high. Among the
areas in question were install asphalt curbs and bumpers in-
stead of granite, high cost of asphalt paving.
Mr. Sturm suggested that the motion be changed to
"instruct the Board of Public-Works to include monies for construc-
tion of this lot in their FY 182 budget".
Commuter Rail Parking lot at John Street
CTPS and the MBTA have been asked for more information on the
ridership. As yet, they are not available. Among the points
considered for presentation to the FinCom were:
1) Encourage out-of-town parking away from the Depot;
with a possible fee structure;
2) - Minimum impact on BPW plans for garage and/or incin-
erator land.
Matters for discussion by the Board members included:
the present personnel and budget troubles at the "T"
thus not making them a viable customer;
BPW does not seem favorably impressed and may not give
up this land. The Board has not as yet received an answer
to their request from BPW asking them to list the uses
this land must meet for BPW and if any alternative areas
could be used to meet the needs of some of these uses at
the John St. site.
Barry Mitchel was asked to prepare a presentation for FinCom,
which is scheduled for October 14, 1980. Mr. Sturm and Mr.
Mitchel will talk to the members of the BPW seeking their support
for this project.
MAPC
Mr. Zorabedian had lunch with Mr. Johnathan Treslow from MAPC.
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They toured the Reading Center area and discussed the potential
increases in intensity of use both commercially and.residentially.
Zoning By-law Handbooks and Maps
` The Zoning by-law handbooks and maps are back from the printers
and are within budget. The secretary was requested to purchase
a date stamp and Planning Board stamp so that the latest revision
date can be stamped on each copy of the map.
Canopy Exclusion
Mr. Doug Wade, the owner of Doug's John Street Exxon, appeared
in support of Article 16 which asks for a revision to the Zoning
By-laws, Sect. 5.2.3.4. to permit canopies in gast stations, i.e.,
to waive front yard requirements in Industrial districts. The
petitioner pleaded hardship in that Exxon requires a can as a
part of general upgrading program. Unless such a revision to the
zoning is allowed, and a canopy can be constructed, then Mr. Wade
will be denied all funds for renovation. Mr. Wade has retained
Mr. Brad Latham as his attorney.
Interdepartmental Communication
The Board has authorized the release of 100 copies of each of
the Zoning By-law handbooks and maps to the Town Clerk's office.
All interested Town Meeting members can obtain a copy by leaving
their name at the Town Clerk's office. Copies for eaclCof=the.
Town.Boards' members was also released for distribution.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted
to adjourn at 9:24 PM
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BJM