HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-08-01 Zoning Board of Appeals MinutesTOWN OF READING
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
MINUTES OF AUGUST 1, 1996
MEMBERS PRESENT:
JOHN COOTE, CHAIRMAN
ARDITH WIEWORKA
STEPHEN TUCKER
CHRISTOPHER VACCARO
JOHN JAREMA
A meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room of the
Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts at 7:OOPM. Mr. Coote swore in, under
oath, those present that would be addressing the Board this evening.
The first Public Hearing was a continuation on the petition of Concord Oil Co., who seeks a
Variance under Section(s) 5.1.2 Table of Dimensional Controls of the Zoning ByLaws in order to
construct a canopy (front and rear yard setbacks) on the property located at 749 Main Street in
Reading, Massachusetts. (CASE #96-08)
The petitioner was represented by Attorney Sheila Griffin. The Concord Oil Company proposed
to improve the existing gas station by replacing the inground storage tanks and erect a shingle
roof canopy over the proposed gasoline island. The pumps would be modernized and reduced
from six to three. The pump island will be moved back farther from Main Street. The proposed
canopy measures 1000 square feet and would be one foot to the front lot line. The apparent
setback would seem greater since the street line is further from the proposed canopy than is the
front lot line because the lot occurs on the outside of a curve in the road while the front lone line
is composed of two straight lines. The result of this condition is that the lot line at the canopy is
much further from the road than at each end of the lot.
In support of the petition, there was testimony from the engineer, station manager and architect.
There was a uniqueness to this "bow tie" shaped lot, which causes a hardship in this case.
There was testimony concerning the economics of the gas station industry and how a gasoline
pump canopy factored into the business. After much debate, the petitioner modified his request
so that significant additional landscaping was proposed and the requested setback was increased
from one to five feet. The proposed landscaping islands at the front of the station will occur on
town land, to the Board instructed the petitioner to obtain approval from the Town to construct
the islands and must undertake their maintenance on a continuing basis.
A motion was made, seconded and unanimously voted to grant a Variance under section 5.1.2 of
the Reading Zoning By-Laws to allow Concord Oil Company Inc. to construct a canopy over the
gas pump island on property described as 749 Main Street, Reading, Massachusetts in accordance
with a plan of land prepared by TO Design, dated May 23, 1996, Sheets L 1 and L3, on the
following conditions and changes to that plan:
1. that the landscape island in front of the property be 54 feet long and 6 feet
wide;
2. that the canopy be set back from the front property line at least 5 feet;
3. that landscaping in the six foot wide island in front contain trees or shrubs to
create a screen that will mitigate the effect of the canopy's encroachment on the front line and that
a landscape architect's rendering will be submitted to the Board and be determined by the Board
to have met this condition prior to a building permit being issued.
The next Public Hearing was on the petition of Brooks Pharmacy who seeks a Special Permit
under Sections 6.3.2.1 of the Zoning By-Laws in order to expand a nonconforming building on
the property located at 25 Haven Street in Reading, Massachusetts. (CASE #96-12)
A motion was made, seconded and unanimously voted to continue the Public Hearing to August
15, 1996.
VOTE 3-0 (passed)
f , At 11: 1OPM, a motion was made and seconded to adjourn, and the Board voted unanimously to
do so.
VOTE 3-0 (passed)
Respectfully submitted by Carolyn Walsh, Recording Secretary to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Signed: 0 6AAiq t-
Date: Q--f- q62
Approved: 9-/ 9- q&