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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-05-19 Planning Board Minutes150 Minutes of the Meeting of May 19, 1980. Chairman Zorabedian called the meeting to order in Room 19, 52 Sanborn Street (the Community Center) with J. Shaw and B. Mitchel present. Also present at this meeting were: Janice Harrington - MAPC representative Lee Roberts - Conservation Commission Secretary Virginia Adams - Historical Commission Chairman Ben Nichols - Land Bank Committee, Recreation Committee. The Board unanimously voted to dispense with the agenda items as listed and asked Ms. Harrington to briefly describe the services provided to member communities by MAPC. Ms. Harrington briefly described the three main areas of study by MAPC as: - Housing Economic Development - Land Use Chairman Zorabedian listed the areas of concern to the Town at present as: - Parking and traffic problems - Resurrection of the Central_BusIness District - Development of the Town's landfill site (Dump) - Town's space needs as pertains to school closing due to declining enrollment - Need for a new central fire station - Municipal space needs - Library space needs - Route 93-129 interchange West Street traffic and safety problems Ms. Harrington suggested that the Board contact `Mr. John Connery at MAPC, Director of Center Revitalization, MAPC has studied the centers of Hudson, Braintree, Topsfield, and Stoneham. Perhaps they could look at Reading Center and come up with a proposal for revitalization. The Town could apply for a technical assistance grant to study this problem. MAPC will be accepting applications for their Center Revitalization Program in the Fall. Another contact at MAPC was Ms. Allison Harper re: Center revitalization.' Among other topics discussed were: - water supply and quality - intercommunity cooperation on development that impacts surrounding communities - transportation problems - parking, safety and traffic flow in downtown area The Board concluded their meeting with Ms. Harrington at 9:45 P.M. Zoning By-laws The Board noted the input from Mr. Ben Nichols that they incor- porate a key on the maps noting when the changes take palce and what the changes are. The printing of the handbook has been given top priority on the secretary's work agenda. Quotes for printing the handbooks will be obtained from Cobly Printers and Ben Franklin Smith Printers. Minutes of the Meeting of May 19, 1980. Chairman Zorabedian called the meeting to order at 8;0.0. P.14. with Boird members J. Shaw and B. Mitchel present. Also present were Janice Harrington from MAPC; Secretary from Conservation Commission, Lee Roberts and Virginia Adams of the Historical Commission. Chairman moved that the Board dispense with listed agenda items and discuss MAPC info topic. MAPC Ms. Harrington described the areas MAPC deals with and provides economic and technical assistance for: HOUSING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAND USE Major areas Reading will be dealing with in the near future are: parking and traffic problems; . restructuring of Central Business District; development of landfill; . office space schools energy costs/efficiency adaptive reuse of excess municipal buildings housing/family and elderly Ms. Harrington spoke on publications and assistance available for these problems; identified specific problem areas and perhaps some possible solutions/resources. Zoning Map Land area on Willow Street (6.65A) all swamp has been given to the Conservation Commission. This land lies to the east of the RR tracks across from Austin Prep. Zoning By-laws Updating of Zoning By-law handbook and printing should be completed before Fall. A print order for 400 copies of the ZBL was unani- mously approved and will be placed with Ben Franklin Smith, printers. Bay State Rd.-Horizon Homes A response from MEPA is expected after July 1st, relative to this project. Mr. Zorabedian will not be available during the last 2 weeks of June; away at NG camp. Salem Street Nursing Home May 22nd is the date for the rescheduled meeting on this matter. Point of concern during this discussion will be the "buffer strip" area requirement 5/1'80 P2 Declining School Enrollment Chairman Zorabedian reported on the problems of declining school enrollment and the best way to cope with this problem. A committee has been formed with 3 teachers, 1 principal from each level; Dr. Munnelly, 6 CAC members and 3 School Comittee members. Bruce MacDonald, School Committee member, drew, up the charter. Prblems to be looked at include: .student/teacher ration how large a population in each school . grade arrangements (7-8-9? or 6-7-8?) How many grade schools needed? Jr. Highs? Identify excess space/utilization of that space/ sell-rent-consolidate? Next meeting will be on Wednesday, May 28th at 7:30 P.M. at the Highland School. Mr. Zorabedian will attend. FY181 Work Program Committee to study Dump Site Development and sale of land to McManus/128 Sales: Board wants to see favorable terms for this land. Board is concerned that the Town keep the right to access the back parcels.-of land by maintaining a street easement over the current sewer easement and to assure the town that the 128 Sales development will take place on Reading land not on the land they own which is abutting this property but actually is in Wakefield. A copy of the final amended motion regarding 128 Sales article on the warrant will be obtained from Town Clerk. CTPS Study - contact Frank Woburn Odor - Prospect Street School; both of these items: should be included in Board's study program. Building Maintenance - available funding for energy conservation. Consolidating office space/personnel - inquire as to Andover set-up. Traffic studies - South Main Street/Summer Ave/South Street West Street-Washington Street/Woburn to Lowell Street/Wilmington Business Center - update parking rules and regs inventory active businesses/intensity of use in specific areas Housing - AHOP, are we part? I-93 Corridor Trancoa Corp. Site Plan Review Assignments were as follows: John Shaw - development within town Barry Mitchel - Dump Site Ellen Childress Conservation and traffic safety Jack Zorabedian - Schools/Municipal office/ related studies Joe Sturm - Finances/related matters There being no further business before the Board, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, 4 Article 45 - 128 Sales, Inc. The Board discussed the.report prepared by the Assessors' office for the Selectmen on the proposed sale of Town-owned land to 128 Sales Inc., and the input from other studies such as the Sasaki Report. It was decided.that Mr. Michel will make the presentation to Town Meeting requesting indefinite postponement of this article as per the Board's April 28, 1980 vote. Bay State Road Development A draft letter to MEPA and_MAPC wasread to the Board members. ro The discussion of issues pertinent to.this matter included the input from BPW, Conservation Commission, Mr. Fitzgerald (an. area resident) and other Town boards and agencies. The Board unanimously voted to have Mr. Zorabedian telephone a response to the above-mentioned-agencies that.would state.the Planning Board does not feel that the present plans, as presented at the May 1, 1980 informational meeting, have sufficient data and that these plans require that a new Environmental Noti- fication Form must be filed by the petitioners, United Church Homes. This letter will be composed and sent by the first of next week. Fire Station-- Articles 34 and 35 The position of the Planning Board on the proposed.study for a new fire station is that they-favor a location that would not be in such close proximity to a dangerous intersection and hill/curve. Upon a motion _duly _made and seconded, the Board adjourned to Town Meeting at 8:20 PM. Respectfully submitted, Barry J . Mitchel, Clerk (CORRECTION - FROM PG. 146 - INSERT MINUTES OF MAY 5, 1980.) MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MAY 5, 1980. Chairman J. Zorabedian called the meeting to order at 7:10 P.M. in Room 131, Reading Memorial High School, Oakland Road with. members J. Shaw, B. Mitchel and J. Sturm present. Town Meeting Issues Article 45 - 128 Sales, Inc. - The Board discussed their recom- mendation for indefinite postponement of this Article. Mr. Amon, counsel for 128 Sales was notified that the Board was to make such a recommendation.