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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-05-08 Planning Board Minutes146 impact of the traffic on the intersection at Bay State Road and Salem Street; and - what effect the proposed development would have on the projected traffic impact study. Mr. Converse stated that he would obtain this information and give it to the Board. He also stressed the fact that he would contact the Reading Housing Authority and give them an updated report on this proposed development. At present the development provides one parking space for every two (2) units of housing. Mr. Converse stated that they would provide the necessary technical studies to support this parking ratio. In answer to the question as to how and what protection the Town has in the elderly housing being converted to condominiums or other such housing, he responded that the life of the mortgage with HUD is 40 years and that HUD would not allow conversion during that time. After 40 years, they are free to convert this housing but that the Congregational Church does not at this time foresee that possibility. At 7:48 P.M. Mr. Converse concluded his remarks and Chairman. Zorabedian thanked him for his presentation. The Board recessed to Town Meeting at 7:58 PM. Respectfully submitted, 9 Barre. Mitchel, Clerk Y (SEE PG.147 for May 5, 1980 MINUTES) Minutes of the Meeting of May 8, 1980. Chairman J. Zorabedian called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM, in Room 131, Reading Memorial High School, Oakland Road, with J.. Shaw and B. Mitchel present. Also present was J. Grant Monahon, attorney for Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. Article 51 -Buffer Stri Mr. Zorabedian.informed the members of the Planning Board of the decision of Town Counsel, H. Theodore Cohen, that the insertion of the phrase "where required by either Residential or Business C property owners" in paragraph b is not enforce- able and not legally sound,legislation. After much' discussion the Board voted to reconsider their previous vote. Upon a motion duly made and seconded:, the Planning Board unani- mously voted to recommend the Article as heard at the Public Hearing with a 12 foot minimum setback and no mention of the requirement. 146 impact of the traffic on the intersection at Bay State Road and Salem Street; and - what effect the proposed development would have on the projected traffic impact study. Mr. Converse stated that he would obtain this information and give it to the Board. He also stressed the fact that he would contact the Reading Housing Authority and give them an updated report on this proposed development. At present the development provides one parking space for every two (2) units of housing. Mr. Converse stated that they would provide the necessary technical studies to support this parking ratio. In answer to the question as to how and what protection the Town has in the elderly housing being converted to condominiums or other such housing, he responded that the life of the mortgage with HUD is 40 years and that HUD would not allow conversion during that time. After 40 years, they are free to convert this housing but that the Congregational Church does not at this time foresee that possibility. At 7:48 P.M. Mr. Converse concluded his remarks and Chairman Zorabedian thanked him for his presentation. The Board recessed to Town Meeting at 7:58 PM. Respectfully submitted, Barry.?. Mitchel, Clerk (SEE PG.147 for May 5, 1980 MINUTES) Minutes of the Meeting of May 8, 1980. Chairman J. Zorabedian called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM, in Room 131, Reading Memorial High School, Oakland Road, with J. Shaw and B. Mitchel present. Also present was J. Grant Monahon, attorney for Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. Article 51 - Buffer Stri Mr. Zorabedian.informed.the members of the Planning Board of the decision of Town,Counsel, H. Theodore Cohen, that the insertion of the phrase "where required by either Residential or Business C property owners" in paragraph b is not enforce- able and not legally sound legislation. After much' discussion the Board voted to reconsider their previous vote. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Planning Board unani- mously voted to recommend the Article. as heard at the Public Hearing with a 12 foot minimum setback and no mention of the requirement. 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. Mitchel 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 was read to the Board members. The discussion of issues pertinent to.this matter included the input from BPW, Conservation.Commis.sion., 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 becomposed 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. 49 Minutes of the Meetinq of May 8, 1980. Chairman J. Zorabedian called the meeting to order at 7:40 P.M. in Room 131, Reading Memorial High School with J. Shaw and B. Mitchel present. Also present was J. Grant Monahon, Esq., attorney for Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.. Article 51 - Buffer Strip Mr. Zorabedian informed the members of the ;Planning Board of the decision of Town Counsel, H. Theodore Cohen, that the insertion of the phrase "where required by either Residential or Business C property owners" in paragraph.B is not enforce- T- able and not legally sound legislation. After much discussion, the Board voted to reconsider their previous vote. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Planning Board unani- mously voted to recommend the Article as heard at the Public Hearing with a 12 foot minimum setback and no mention of the exception. Bay State Road Development A draft letter to MEPA and MAPC was read to the.Board members by the Chairman. 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 that 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 Enviornmental Notification 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 which would not be in such close proximity to a dangerous intersection and hill (presently proposed for a location immediately north of the intersection of Main and Salem Streets). Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn to Town.Meeting at 8:20 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Barry J. Mitchel, Clerk. 150 Minutes of the Meeting of May 19, 198.0. 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 - Municipalspace 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 Revitalizat;aon, 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. j Bay State: Road Horizon Homes M,EPA should be, making a determination on the;,project by July 1, 1980. Zoning Board of Appeals to continue hearing on this on May 28. School Building Reuse The Chairman gave a brief report on the impact of declining enrollment on the school buildings. Mr. Bruce MacDonald has drawn up a chart noting the various methods of coping with this problem and.the building reuse. A meeting of this com- mittee is scheduled at 7:30 P.M. on May 28 at the Highland School. 128 Sales The Board wants to be sure that the Town negotiates favorable terms with relation to $ value, access to the use of the nego- tiated land as access to the Wakefield land owned by 128 Sales, and use of the sewer easement as a paper street or Town right of way. The Secretary will obtain a copy of the final amended motion of this Article from Town Clerk. Other matters of discussion included:' - utilization and maintenance of Town's buildings - Traffic - South Main Street Industrial Development Committee (Dump site development) Compiled inventory of recreation facilities Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:50 P.M. Respectfully submitted,. Barry J. Mitchel, Clerk Minutes of the Meet ng.of.June 5, 1980. Chairman J. Zorabedian called the meeting to order in Room 19, 52 Sanborn Street (the Community Centex) at 7:33 P.M. with J. Shaw, E. Childress, B. Mitchel and J. Sturm present. Correspondence Mail was reviewed. The letter from MA.PC re: Congregational Church-Horizon Homes for the elderly was read by the Chairman.. This project received a ranking from MAPC of 2.5-on the appli- cation for a"HUD assistance grant. In comparison there were 6 projects with a rank of 2; 5 projects with a rank of 3; and 1 project with a rank of 4. Although the meeting with the Board of Selectmen seemed to indicate that this project did 1 not receive a higher ranking because it _did ,not have unanimous Town approval, the letter froze, MAPC indicates that the Town of Reading has devoted considerable effort to the housing needs of the elderly but has not made any effort in housing for low and moderate income families. The AHOP contact for the Tow4l of Reading is the Board.of Select- men and the Reading Housing Authority. The Secretary was asked to research (after completion of the By--law,handbook typing) what has gone to AHOP from the Town: 1981 Work Program The Chairman discussed the '81 Work Program and each member agreed to accept the following assignments: J. Zorabedian - Housing - Tech Advisory Comm., MAPC Parking and Center Development School Building Reuse MAPC.representative B. Mitchel Dump Site - Industrial Development Committee Water Solid Waste- By-law reprinting J. Sturm - Transportation CTPS - "Clean Air Study" "T" service J. Shaw - Building Reuse Energy audit and programs Parking lot - Union and Middle Maintenance E. Childress - Safety and traffic South Main Street Conservation - Water Parking - commercial vehicles CTPS "Clean Air Study" Mr. Mitchel requested that the_Secretary obtaincopies of the proposed state takeover plan of the '"T" system by the Governor. The report on the "Clean. Air Study" from CTPS should be delivered to the Planning Board by the end of the month. Dump Site. Development Committee The Selectmen will be interviewing candidates to serve on this committee on Thursday, June 12, 1980. 1~R ~alP~ As Per the-mandate of Annual Town Meeting, the Board of Selectmen will have to investigate concerns expressed by the Town including: - - selling price of land, taking intoaccount the discrepancy between the Town Assessor's value of the land and the appraised price 128 Sales, Inc. obtained. - the access that this property will give to 128 Sales to develop their Wakefield land - the Town's rights to maintain a legal access over present sewer easement for access to the back parcels of land An interdepartmental meeting will be arranged by the Selectmen to review this matter. Zoning By-law handbook and Maps The Board requested the Secretary to obtain written bids from the printers for copying the By-law handbooks and maps All corrections to the map were approved for submission to the BPW engineer to correct. Prospect Street School College Marketing Group has sent.a letterto area residents stating their intention to try to obtain the above-named property from the Town. Mr. Mitchel read the letter to.the Board. The present feeling of the Board is that although this may be agood use of this property, CMG will have certain legal obstacles to overcome. to obtain a variance to operate a business in a Residential district. At present, the Board cannot make a decision on this matter. Mr. Mitchel will contact CMG and inform them of the legal obstacles they will probably encounter. Salem Street Nursing Home A decision from the Board of Appeals denied the request for a variance for the proposed nursing home. Meeting Schedule There is a meeting in the Auditorium of the Community Center with the "T" to discuss proposed service cutson Monday,. June 23rd, The next meeting of the Planning Board willbe held in mid-June with Barry Mitchel presiding. Mr. Zorabedian will be away at National Guard camp during this period. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:10 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Barry J. Mitchel, Clerk. Minutes of the Meeting of June 23, 1980. Due to the absence of the Chairman, B. Mitchel presided at the meeting which convened at 8:50 P.M., following the presentation by the MBTA on the proposed service cuts, with E. Childress and J. Shaw present. Bills payable in the amount of $81.65 were unanimously approved for payment. Discussion on the amount of money;encumb.ered`for the printing of the Zoning By~=law handbooks and maps ensued. The Board unanimously voted to encumber an additional $150.00 for related expenses including replacing the typing supplies used by the Secretary on the word processing machine. A box of floppy discs for the storage of this handbook printing will have an approximate cost, of $60.00. The Secretary was instructed to write a letter to the Town Accountant requesting that.an additional $150.00 be encumbered, thus having a total of $60,0.00 encumbered for the reprinting of the Zoning Bylaw handbooks and maps. Flood Plain Maps Ms, Childress.reported on the research she had done on the proposed new Flood Plain Map from HUD for insurance purposes only. Ms. Childress requested that the Secretary obtain a copy of the statement the Conservation Commission made in response to the inquiry from the Selectmen. After receipt of this statement, the Board will then send a, letter to the Selectmen stating their position. A meeting on this matter with all Town departments is scheduled for mid-summer. The Board voted to meet on Monday, July 14, 1980,at 7:30 P.M. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Barry J. Mitchel, Clerk