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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-08-30 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTown of Readip _ Y~fl IVED CLERK 16 Lowell Street m7 TOW MrAss- Reading, MA 01867-2683 Phone: 781-942-6612 12 C Fax: 781-942-9071 NN 2 1 p L J Email: jdelios@ci.reading.ma.us Community Planning and Development Commission CPDC MINUTES Meeting Dated: August 30, 2010 Location: Selectmen's Meeting Room Time: 7:30 PM Members Present: John Weston (JW), Chairman; Joseph Patterson (JP), Secretary; David Tuttle (DT), and Nicholas Safina (NS) Also Present: Jean Delios (JD), Town Planner; Abby McCabe (AM), Staff Planner; and Michael Schloth (MS), Recording Secretary. Ms. Jacqueline Bento Attorney Robert Peterson, 314 Main Street, Wilmington, MA Mr. John Hanley, Jordan's Furniture, 50 Walkers Brook Drive" Mr. Matthew Busnach, Jordan's Furniture, 50 Walkers Brook Drive Mr. Tony D'Arezzo, 130 John Street There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. Public Comment None. Public Hearing: Site Plan Review and Request for Signage Certificate of Appropriateness 55 Haven Street, The Salon on Haven The business "The Salon at One Haven" is relocating to 55 Haven Street. The applicant proposes interior renovations and minor exterior changes including signage which the applicant requests that the Board review for appropriateness. The applicant, Ms. Jacqueline Bento was present with her attorney, Mr. Robert Peterson. JP read the public notice. A draft decision had been prepared: The Board concerned itself chiefly with the exterior changes of which there were few. The existing awning would be removed. The applicant would place two wall signs one facing north on Haven St and the second facing west towards the parking lot. The two signs would be the same two wall signs the applicant used at her previous location with a slight change in the wording of each: "at One Haven" would be changed to "on Haven". The second sign is allowed as per new by-law 6.2.6.4.a. The applicant had proposed both signs be externally lit by downward-directed gooseneck lamps but agreed to the Board's suggestion that the second sign (facing west) not be illuminated at all due to its close proximity to the Haven Street sign, and existing street and parking-lot lights. Page 1 of 4 CPDC Minutes of 8/30/2010 The consensus of the Board was the requirement for a loading space should be waived and the decision changed to reflect this. DT moved the Board grant a waiver from the requirement of a dedicated loading space for "The Salon on Haven"; 55 Haven Street. NS seconded and the motion was carried 4:0:0. The applicant reviewed the draft as amended and told the Board it was acceptable. DT moved the Board close the public hearing. JP seconded and the motion carried 4:0:0. DT moved the Board approve the site plan review for "The Salon on Haven"; 55 Haven Street as amended tonight. NS seconded and the motion was carried 4:0:0. DT moved the Board approve the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness for the signage proposed for "The Salon on Haven". 55 Haven Street. NS seconded and the motion carried 4:0:0. The Chair stamped and signed the approved signage plans. Zoning Work Session: Prepare Zoning Amendments for Subsequent Town Meeting. The Town Planner informed the Board that the State Attorney General had approved with cautions the most recent Town-Meeting-approved changes to the by-law sections 6.2 Signs, 6.3 Nonconforming Uses and Structures, and Section 4.4 Flood Plain Overlay Districts. Town Counsel is reviewing the cautions and will report to the Board on them soon. Tonight, the Board reviewed a new list of amendments to the sign by-laws. The purpose of these amendments is to address issues that arose following the renewed enforcement of the signage by-laws after the moratorium. Three major issues were discussed: • The side-setback of freestanding signs. • Allowing freestanding signs in the Business-B district and by extension in the residential districts. • The number of signs allowed a single-tenant commercial property in the Business-A district. Also discussed: • Various formatting issues in existing by-laws. • The ground clearance of flags. • Requirement that a property's address by prominently displayed on a sign. Side-Setback: The by-law states freestanding signs must be 20 feet from the side setback but there are some longstanding signs that are not. The consensus of the Board was to add language to allow a smaller setback through a special permit for new freestanding signs. The possibility of exempting existing signs in violation of the setback was discussed. It was noted this may not be fair to abutters if the signs are too close to their properties. Freestanding Signs in Business-B and Residential Districts: The consensus of the Board was to allow the existing language specific to gas-station signs but to require all other signs to be erected under a special permit. Second Sign for Single-Tenant Lots in Business-A: This led to a long discussion of how much signage is actually on a site. NS had prepared a powerpoint presentation. showing that wall and freestanding signs Page 2 of 4 CPDC Minutes of 8/30/2010 are not the only signs on a site. There are also window signs, temporary banners, and company vehicles on the site. He reminded the Board that 30% of each window can contain signage without a permit. NS also suggested that the argument that a business in a single-tenant building is at a signage-disadvantage compared to a business in a multi-tenant building does not hold water given that the single-tenant has a prominent structure - the building all to itself (e.g. corporate architecture of MacDonalds, Burger King, etc...). A dimensional restriction on the second sign or made proportional to both signs was discussed. Signage for primary and secondary entrances was discussed. The Board expressed concern that single-tenant buildings may become multi-tenant for the extra signage. The consensus of the Board was to allow a second sign under a special permit. The Town Planner said she would digest the Board's comments and send out updated amendment language via email. She reminded the Board that it must vote on recommendation of the language of the by-laws by 9/21/2010 which means the language must be ready for the Board's vote at its 9/13/2010 meeting. Other Business Temporary Event for Paul's TV at parking lot of 50 Walkers Brook Drive Representing the applicant was Mr. John Hanley and Mr. Matt Busnach. The applicant proposes the temporary parking of a tractor trailer containing a walk-in demonstration display of 3D televisions in the Jordan's Furniture parking lot on October 15, 16, and 17. - The applicant was asked if there was a contingency plan in the event of large crowds. The applicant did not anticipate overly large crowds for the event. The applicant noted there would be no extra site lighting, the display would be ADA compliant, and a plan has been submitted noting the area to be blocked off to contain the trailer. In reply to the Town Planner's questions, the applicant noted there would be no fumes, extra noise, or vibration from the trailer. The Town Planner noted that the applicant is requesting in essence a minor modification to condition #29 of the original site plan decision but suggested it be termed a Certificate of Action as that is how a prior similar request for another event was approved. She further noted that the applicant would have to make an application for managing the traffic and parking during the event to the Police Department in advance of the event. Also, if approved the decision of the Board must be mailed as a Certificate of Action to all abutters within 500 feet of the event. Mr. Tony D'Arezzo reminded the Board that a previous event in the parking lot was approved with the condition that the tarmac would not be penetrated as it covers a landfill. Mr. Hanley said he was aware the landfill cap cannot be penetrated. DT moved the Board approve the draft Certificate of Action for the event at 50 Walkers Brook Drive as described in the submitted application. JW seconded and the motion carried 4:0:0. Request for Signage Certificate of Appropriateness: 580 Main Street,.Kumon Learning Center r Neither the applicant nor anyone representing the applicant was present. Page 3 of 4 CPDC Minutes of 8/30/2010 The Staff Planner informed the Board that 580 Main Street has a Master Signage Plan but the applicant was requesting a modification: the lettering of his wall sign should be blue not black. The Board noted that a similar modification was allowed for the Bank of America. The Town Planner pointed out that the particular shade of blue - almost pastel - diverts greatly from the primary colors specified in the master signage plan. The Board noted that the widow signage shown on the door in the submitted plans does not conform to the requirements of the signage by-laws and that this should be so noted in the decision. DT moved the Board approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the signage submitted for the Kumon Learning Center at 580 Main Street provided it is modified to conform with the master signage plan i.e. the colors of the letters and logo are changed to black. Also the Board notes that the door treatment shown in the submitted plans does not conform to the signage by-laws and is not approved. JP seconded and the motion carried 4:0:0. . Approval of minutes of August 9, 2010 The consensus of the Board was to defer approval until a future meeting. DT moved to adjourn. NS seconded and the motion was carried 4:0:0. The meeting adjourned at 11:00.p.m. These minutes were prepared by Michael Schloth and submitted to the CPDC on November 29, 2010; these minutes were approved as amended by the CPDC on November 29, 2010. Signed as 2/ ?/I John-Vestarl, Chairman Date, Page 4 of 4