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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-06 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTown of Reading RECEIVED 16 Lowell Street TOW CLERK Reading, MA 01867-2683 "RE i IN G, M r~ S S. Phone: 781-942-6612 Fax: 781-942-9071 ~p Email: jdelios@ci.reading.ma.us 2011 JUL 13 A 9: 4q Community Planning and Development Commission CPDC MINUTES Meeting Dated: June 6, 2011 Location: Selectmen's Meeting Room Time: 7:30 PM Members Present: John Weston (JW), Chairman; Paul Bolger (PB), Secretary; Nicholas Safina (NS); David Tuttle (DT); and Charles Adams (CA). Also Present: Jean Delios, Town Planner; Abigail McCabe, Staff Planner; and Michael Schloth, Recording Secretary. Mac Cerullo, 29 Perkins Avenue Jim Lordan, 26 Fairchild Drive Bernard Paquin, P.E., Dana F. Perkins, Inc, 1049 East Street, Tewksbury, MA Thomas Chiuding, DRL Associates Julie Thurlow, President of Reading Co-operative Bank, 180 Haven Street Chris Latham, Latham Law Offices, LLC; 643 Main Street John Magee, Magee Construction, Inc., Arlington, MA Jack Magee, Magee Construction, Inc., Arlington, MA , Jack McQuilkin, Engineer, JM Associates, North Reading Christopher Coleman, Coleman Law Office, PC; 248 Main Street, Suite 202 There being a quorum the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM. Approval Not Required (ANR) 3 Dividence Road(formerly 215 Franklin Street) The Staff Planner reported that the Town Engineer had no issue with the ANR aside from a small correction to a notation and the addition of signature lines. The CPDC signed the two copies of the plans. One set was given to the applicant. 18 & 23 Family Circle The Town Planner reported no issues with this ANR. DT asked if the "lot shape" restrictions apply. The Town Planner replied that the lot shape can be an issue with subdivisions but not with ANRs. The CPDC signed the two copies of the plans. The applicant was not present to receive a set. Compliance Review of Site Plan Review Decision Conditions Jacob Way, Pulte Homes' Reading Woods) The Chair reported that this item has been postponed until the meeting of 6/20/2011. Public Hearing: Site Plan Review 355 Main Street The Chair opened the public hearing. NS read the legal notice. The applicant proposes to repair the building's brick fagade and to replace the entrance on that fagade. A draft decision had been prepared. Page 1 of 5 CPDC Minutes of 6/6/2011 Attorney Chris Coleman was present representing the applicant. He explained that water and ice damage had caused many of the bricks in the fagade to loosen. They will be replaced with a metal and wood frame covered with a brick veneer. A new storefront and entrance also will be part of the project. The building is part of the historical registry - in the 1930s it was the location of a car showroom - so the look of the brick fagade will be maintained. The new door will show more glass. The air-conditioning units now poking through the fagade will be removed and the holes covered to match the fagade. The air-conditioning unit is now on the roof. The new storefront windows will be slightly tinted to reduce heat gain from the sun. The Chair noted there would be no change in tenants and therefore no changes in traffic or trash. Also, there is no change in the parking situation aside from the addition of one handicap parking space with a handicap-parking sign. The Chair asked if anyone from the public wanted to comment. No one did. NS moved the CPDC close the public hearing. DT seconded and the motion carried 5:0:0. Referring to the draft decision, Mr. Coleman asked the requirement for "clear glass" be changed as the glass will in fact be slightly tinted. The CPDC decided to change the language to note that the window glass will be unobstructed and transparent rather than "clear" and to add a reference to the specification sheet of the window listed under the materials section of the decision. DT moved the CPDC approve the Site Plan Review decision for 335 Main Street as amended. NS seconded and the motion carried 5:0:0. Public Hearing: Site Plan Review (Continued) 292 Grove Street, Meadow Brook Golf Club The Chair noted this was a continuation of a site plan review opened on 5/23/2011 and that the remaining issue is that both the Town Engineer and Conservation Administrator had. expressed concern that the slope created by the proposed retaining wall, that the applicant wanted to plant with grass, would be too steep to prevent erosion and that a rip-rap slope should be created instead. A draft decision had been prepared. Mr. Paquin reported that the plans had been changed: there will no longer be a retaining wall or grassy slope and instead it will be a taller rip-rap slope. Other changes include: • Addition to the stormwater pollution prevention plan of inspections of the roof drains, infiltration swales, and graveled parking-lot. • Addition of inverts and cleanouts and an interceptor drain as per the Conservation Commission's request. The Town Planner noted that the Town Engineer had not provided a memo on the revision but told her that the revision met with his approval. The Chair asked if anyone from the public wanted to comment. No one did. DT moved the CPDC close the public hearing. CA seconded and the motion carried 5:0:0. The applicant had no issue with the draft decision as written. Page 2 of 5 CPDC Minutes of 6/6/2011 The Chair noted that at the previous meeting the CPDC had decided not to review the proposed work to the pool area (i.e. a new fence on one side and the extension of the pool's apron on that side) and therefore reference to it should be removed from the decision. The CPDC agreed. DT moved the CPDC approve the Site Plan Review decision as amended for 292 Grove Street, the Meadow Brook Golf Club's Turf Care maintenance facility. CA seconded and the motion carried 3:0:2. PB and NS abstained. PB because he is a member of the Meadow Brook Golf Club and NS because he was not present when the hearing opened on 512312011. Request for Signage Certificate of Appropriateness 159 Ash Street, Salon Fabiano Neither the applicant nor a representative of the applicant was present. The applicant proposes a sign of gold, raised vinyl letters against a black background. The only issue the CPDC had was with illumination which they added as a condition. DT moved the CPDC approve the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness for the wall sign at 159 Ash Street, Salon Fabiano, with the condition that the external illumination fixture will be as shown on the plan's detail. NS seconded and the motion carried 5:0:0. NS noted that many gooseneck lamps used as external illumination by Reading businesses have become misaligned over the years and need to be readjusted to point at what they were originally aimed at. Request for Waiver from Site Plan Review 180 Haven Street; Reading Co-operative Bank The applicant is seeking a waiver from a full site plan review of the renovation of its property. The renovation consists of interior changes only. Julie Thurlow, president of the Reading Co-operative Bank was present. DT moved the CPDC determines that under Zoning Bylaw 4.3.3.12.1, the proposed work qualifies for a waiver from site plan review. JW seconded and the motion carried 5:0:0. DT moved the CPDC approve the applicant's request for a waiver from site plan review of the work shown in plans dated 512412011. NS seconded and the motion carried 5:0:0. Sailor Tom's Way: Tri-party Agreement; Request for Minor Modification; and Request to Extend Subdivision Completion Deadline (Continued) 175 Franklin Street Attorney Chris Latham was present to represent the original owner of the Sailor Tom's Way subdivision. The new owners, Jack and John Magee, were also present as was their engineer, Jack McQuilken. Regarding the Tri-party agreement, the Town Planner, reported that Town Counsel had "reviewed the agreement and made the suggestion that both the original 2008 plans and the latest plans be included. Other than that one point, the town had no issues with the agreement as written. Regarding the minor modification, the Town Planner reported that the Town Engineer had reviewed the revised plans and had no issues with the changes. The Chair noted that the original plans called for the electrical lines to be placed underground but the new plans do not. Mr. Magee said the Town Engineer Page 3 of 5 CPDC Minutes of 6/6/2011 had spoken with Brian Smith of the Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) and agreed with Mr. Smith that it made more sense to string the wires overhead than to rip up the street. Also, RMLD wants to place a transformer on a pole in the area. The subdivision is in the Aquifer Protection District which restricts a lot's total impervious cover. The Chair asked the applicant to explain how it is possible that the new plans would reduce the overall impervious cover given that they intend to increase in the surface area of the driveways. Mr. Magee explained that each of the three driveways is going to be modified to provide more area to allow a car to back up and turn around. To compensate for this increased area, the footprint of each of the houses has been decreased. Regarding the extension of the subdivision completion deadline, the consensus of the CPDC was to extend the deadline until October 1, 2012. Mr. Magee had no objection to this date. DT moved the CPDC determines that the proposed changes are a minor modification to the original subdivision plan (dated 5/2008) for Sailor Tom's Way. PB seconded and the motion carried 5:0:0. DT moved the CPDC approve the minor modification as shown on the plans for Sailor Tom's Way dated 511812011. JW seconded and the motion carried 5:0:0. DT moved the CPDC approve the try party agreement. CA seconded and the motion carried 5:0:0. DT moved the,CPDC approve the request to extend the subdivision completion deadline for Sailor Tom's Way subdivision until October 1, 2012. NS seconded and the motion carried 5:0:0. Mr. Magee asked if the CPDC would sign the agreement in escrow. Mr. Latham noted it would save time. The Town Planner suggested putting the matter before Town Counsel. The Chair directed the issue to be placed on the CPDC next meeting's agenda. He noted that Mr. Magee need not attend that meeting. Request for Waiver from Site Plan Review 275 Salem Street The applicant was not present. The applicant requests a waiver from a full site plan review of a project to demolish existing interior walls and partitions in preparation of renting/leasing the space to a future tenant. The Town Planner reported that this property is next to REI and is where the Registry of Motor Vehicles used to be located. NS said that if it is strictly demolition and no new use is yet planned, then it is something that should be handled administratively unless there is an existing zoning violation of some kind. The Town Planner did not believe there were any zoning violations associated with the site. NS moved the CPDC determines that under Zoning Bylaw 4.3.3.12.1, the proposed interior demolition work qualifies for a waiver from site plan review. DT seconded and the motion carried 5:0:0. DT moved the CPDC approve the applicant's request for a waiver from site plan review for the proposed interior demolition work at the building located at 275 Salem Street. PB seconded and the motion carried 5:0:0. Page 4 of 5 CPDC Minutes of 6/6/2011 Updates Open Space and Recreation Plan. The Chair reported that a dog park is slated to be added to the town's Open Space and Recreation Plan and that the plan is supposed to be updated every five years and the fifth year is either this year or next. This led to a discussion of where in the update or approval process does the CPDC fall with respect to projects that don't necessarily fall under the CPDC's purview but which are related to community development. The Town Planner suggested she could solicit opinions on the matter from other Boards and Committees. Affordable Housing Plan. The Town Planner reported that it is time to start thinking about updating this plan again. She reminded the CPDC that 40Bs would not be retired until the town's affordable housing threshold meets or exceeds 10% of the housing stock. She noted the total affordable housing now stands at approximately 7%. The Chair noted that showing progress toward the threshold also is important and cited the recent 40B application for a project at 885 Main Street which the State did not approve because the town had shown such progress by establishing the two 40R districts (Gateway and Downtown). Other. The Economic Development Committee (EDC) will be holding an economic summit at the Senior Center on 6/14/11. The CPDC will meet on-site for a wayfinding sign site walk on 6/13 or 6/15. A meeting to discuss a Technical Assistance Grant for Regional Transit Options is scheduled for next week. Another peer-to-peer grant is coming. The owners of the M.F. Charles building are interested in moving forward with their redevelopment plans. The town has told them it wants to see at least a conceptual plan before moving forward and expects a comprehensive plan as soon as possible. Golf Town, 40 Walkers Brook Drive. PB noted that Golf Town is still not in compliance. The black, film is still not on all of the storefront's windows. Minutes. 3/28/2011 DT moved the CPDC approve the minutes of 3/28/2011 as amended. JW seconded and the motion was carried 4:0:1. CA abstained. 5/9/2011 DT moved the CPDC approve the minutes of 5/9/2011 as amended. PB seconded and the motion carried 4:0:1. CA abstained. DT moved to adjourn. PB seconded and the motion carried 5:0:0. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 PM. These minutes were prepared by Michael Schloth and submitted to the CPDC on 07/7/2011 and approved as amended by the CPDC on 07/11/2011. Page 5 of 5