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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-05 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTown of Reading 16 Lowell Street R 0 Reading, MA 01867-2683 n,~ Phone: 781-942-6612 R m A s s. Fax: 781-942-9071 Email: jdelios@ci.reading.ma.us l 21 Community Planning and Developmen 0 ommission CPDC MINUTES Meeting Dated: April 5, 2010 Location: Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Hall Time: 7:30 PM Members Present: David Tuttle (DT), Chairman; Nicholas Safina (NS), Secretary John Weston (JW), and Joseph Patterson (JP). Members Absent: Claire Paradiso Also Present: Jean Delios (JD) Town Planner; Abigail McCabe (AM), Staff Planner; Sheila Clarke, member of Economic Development Committee Meghan Young-Tafoya, member of Economic Development Committee Tom O'Connor Dermot Bolger, Restaurant Applicant, owner Restaurant co-owner Tom Hayes, Restaurant Applicant, Civil Engineer. Bill Crowley, Restaurant Applicant, Attorney Ed Roche, Restaurant Applicant, Architect There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. Public Comment There were no comments. Public Hearing for Site Plan Review Application 530 Main Street, new restaurant The Chair opened the public hearing for the site plan review for a new restaurant at 530 Main Street. JW read the legal notice for the public hearing. The Town Planner gave a brief introduction to the Applicant's proposal for a new Irish restaurant on the site of an existing restaurant. The Attorney then introduced the applicants and further explained the proposal fora full service restaurant and pub. The addition of the outdoor patio on the north side of the building where an underused parking area exists now is the most significant change. The garden patio will also feature a sunscreen over the tables. The interior of the building will also be completely renovated and the facade changes will include increased windows and a new wooden finish over the existing brick facade. New landscaping is also proposed around the patio for additional screening and beautification. The patio pavers will slope down to allow water to drain into the surrounding landscaping. The south parking lot will also be improved and will include additional landscaping. DT asked if the existing retaining wall would be shifting location or be changed. The Applicant said they would not be moving any retaining walls. They are working on creating a new updated site plan because the one that was submitted was used when the current restaurant moved in. The Applicant is Page.1 of 3 CPDC Minutes of 4/5/10 working with the Town Engineer on the drainage plans that will be submitted after soil testing is analyzed. The Town Planner informed the CPDC that the Applicant is working with the Town Engineer and has agreed to comply with the DEP storm water regulations which can be a condition of the site plan decision. JP asked if there were plans to visually improve the existing retaining wall. The Applicant answered that they plan to clean it and re-plaster or add bricks. NS asked if there will be designated parking spaces for customers who wish to order take out. The Applicant said they will most likely have two or three spaces posted for 10 minute parking for take out. The Chair reminded the Applicant that the awnings must meet Reading's by-law and be at least eight feet above the ground and also that the sunscreen and outdoor seating must meet the 20 foot rear yard zoning setback. The patio gate should be marked emergency exit only. The Main Street restaurant entrance should be handicap accessible to allow access for a wheelchair. The Chair also reminded the Applicant that they will need to return to CPDC to approve their signage plans. Lighting for the sign can also be reviewed at the time of the sign application. JW asked the Applicant to be considerate of the fact that the outdoor patio seating is so close to the residential neighborhood. The owner said the restaurant will be open until 12:30 AM but the patio will close earlier to meet noise regulations. NS asked if additional planting was proposed to be planted above the retaining wall. The renderings show plantings along the patio inside the fence surrounding the patio and also above the retaining wall between the wall and the next property. The Applicant also noted that most of the deliveries will be at the rear parking lot off of Ash Street and some of the food will be delivered from the south parking lot. The windows along Main Street will not have the ability to open. Public Comment: Ms. Clarke of the Economic Development Committee said the Committee was supportive of the proposal for the new restaurant and believed it would help enliven that area of the downtown. On a motion by DT, seconded by 3W, the CPDC voted to close the public hearing for the application and plans for 530 Main Street dated March 10, 2010 by a vote of 4-0-0. On a motion by NS, seconded by DT, the CPDC voted to continue the site plan review decision and vote to April 12th at 7:30 PM by a vote of 4-0-0. The Chair informed the Applicant that a site plan decision will be drafted for the next meeting. Administrative Regulations for the Downtown Smart Growth District (DSGD) AM distributed a copy of the DSGD Administrative Regulations that were approved by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The CPDC did not have any comments on the DHCD edits. On a motion by NS, seconded by DT, the CPDC voted to adopt the Downtown Smart Growth District Administrative Regulations as amended by the DHCD by a vote of 4-0-0. Updates The Town Planner updated the CPDC on other upcoming projects including Venetian Moon's request i for outdoor dining and roof deck expansion, Oaktree's proposal under the DSGD,, the former Verizon building on Main Street, and Perfecto's Cafe. Oaktree Development will be hosting a neighborhood Page 2 of 3 CPDC Minutes of 4/5/10 meeting next Monday on April 12`h at 6:30 PM at the library. CPDC will need to provide an oral or written report to Town Meeting for the zoning changes on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. On a motion by DT, seconded by NS, the CPDC voted to approve the minutes for March 15, 2010 as written by a vote of 4-0-0. DT suggested the Town begin implementing some of the recommendations from the parking study since We will be experiencing new developments soon. On a motion by DT, seconded by JP, the CPDC voted to adjourn at 8:45 PM by a vote of 4-0-0. These minutes were prepared by Abigail McCabe and submitted to the CPDC on April 12, 2010; these minutes were approved as amended by the CPDC on April 12, 2010. Signed as approved, J Johq~Meston, Secretary Page 3 of 3