HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-04-05 Community Planning and Development Commission MinutesTOWN OF READING
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF APRIL 5, 1999
A meeting of the Community Planning and Development Commission of the Town of Reading was held in
the Selectmen's Meeting Room in Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street in Reading, Massachusetts on April 5,
1999. In attendance were Acting Chairman Jonathan Barnes, Neil Sullivan, Richard Howard and Michael
Flammia. Chairman to the Commission Richard Schubert was not in attendance. Also present were Town
Engineer Joe Delaney, Clerk to the Commission Joe Connelly and newly hired Town Planner Ann Kreig.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM.
MINUTES
Mr. Howard and the Commission reviewed the minutes of the March 22, 1999 meeting. Mr. Howard
motioned to approve the minutes of March 22, 1999 meeting, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, motion approved
4-0.
MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. Delaney reviewed plan changes for the Melendy Drive Subdivision. Mr. Delaney explained that a
detention basin needed to be moved. The Commission discussed whether or not this change was a minor
modification. The Commission discussed whether or not a public hearing should be held. The Commission
decided to have a public hearing on this change at their May 10, 1999 meeting.
Mr. Barnes opened the meeting up for public input. There was no public input at this time.
Mr. Howard reminded the Commission that the Board of Selectmen would be discussing the George Street
Comprehensive Permit at their April 6, 1999 meeting.
Mr. Flammia motioned to formally recognize Clerk to the Commission Joseph J. Connelly for his efforts
over the last 8 '/z months. Mr. Howard and Mr. Barnes also extended their thanks to Mr. Connelly for filling
the Acting Town Planner role. The motion was seconded by Mr. Barnes and approved 4-0.
Mr. Barnes and the Commission discussed the progress of the Marriott negotiations with the Reading
Housing Authority.
PUBLIC HEARING ARTICLE 19: ZONING BY-LAW CHANGE FOR AGRICULTURAL USES
Mr. Barnes called the Public Hearing to order. Mr. Flammia began to read the Public Hearing notice. Mr.'
Howard moved to dispense with the reading of the Public Hearing notice, seconded by Mr. Sullivan,
approved 4-0.
Mr. Barnes asked Mr. Schmidt and Attorney Posner to review Article 19. Mr. Schmidt reviewed the history
behind the petition and his reasoning for the proposed by-law change. Mr. Schmidt summarized the special
permit portion of the article. Mr. Barnes formally introduced the members of the Commission to the public.
Mr. Howard asked if the Commission had received any feedback from the other Boards, Committees and
Commissions. Mr. Schmidt reviewed his meeting with the other BCC. Mr. Schmidt explained the actions of
the other BCC.
ZBA - Approved of the article on it's technical merit. ZBA would take no position on
whether of not to support the article to Town Meeting.
By-Law Committee - Had questions for Town Counsel. Is meeting with Mr. Schmidt at a
later date.
Conservation Commission - Would take no position on whether or not to support the
article to Town Meeting.
Board of Selectmen - Voted unanimously, 5-0, to support the article.
Historical Commission - Mr. Schmidt would be meeting with the Commission on 4/6.
Mr. Posner stated that Town Counsel has been involved in the various drafts of this article. Mr. Howard
shared his concerns with the Commission. Mr. Howard and Mr. Schmidt discussed part-time farm stands.
Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867-2683 + .~;ss.
FAX: (781) 942-9070
Website: i" ,w.ci.reading.ma.us
t tl i'1 t';. 1 , 1 P ! = 41
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
(781) 942-9010
LEGAL NOTICE
'T'OWN OF READING
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Notice is hereby given that the Community Planning and Development Commission of the Town of Reading will
hold a Public Hearing in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts at
8:00 PM, on Monday, April 5, 1999, to consider the proposed amendments to the Reading Zoning By-Laws set forth
in the following Article in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting of April 12, 1999:
ARTICLE 19 "To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 4.2.2. (Table of Uses) of the
Zoning Sy-Lbw by (1) deleting the provisions which permit Agricultural, Horticultural, and Floricultural
Uses in all zones and (2) by adding the following to the 'Other Uses' provision of said Section 4.2.2:
?OTHER::.'tJSES
-
RES::
;RES:;
`..ICES
US_
Agriculture,
Horticulture,
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Floriculture,
Viticulture on 5+
Acres
Structures
Accessory to
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Agriculture,
Horticulture,
Floriculture,
Viticulture on 5+
Acres
Agriculture,
Horticulture,
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Floriculture,
Viticulture for
Domestic Use
Only
Agriculture,
Horticulture,
SPA
SPA
SPA
SPA
SPA
SPA
SPA
Floriculture,
Viticulture not for
Domestic Use on
Less Than 5 Acres
and to see if the Town will add a new provision as §4.3.6. (Agricultural Uses on Less Than 5 Acre Parcels) which
shall be:
1
PHILIP B. POSNER
ATTORNEY AT LAW
24 YALE AVENUE
WAKEFIELD, MA 01880
781 224 1900 FAX 781 224 1998
EMAIL: ENVLAWYER@AOL.COM
DATE: February 8, 1999
TO: Town of Reading Community Planning & Development
Commission
FROM: Philip B. Posner
RE: Zoning bylaws relating to agricultural uses
CC: client
in response the Commission's request I have reviewed the zoning bylaws of the following
towns:
1. Andover
6. North Reading
2. Billerica
7. Stoneham
3. Natick
8. Tewksbury
4. Needham
9. Wakefield
5. North Andover
10. Wilmington
I have submitted three copies of relevent excerpts from the bylaws and, in certain cases,
photocopies of the zoning booklets. The excerpts were obtained from the MuniLaw CD
ROM published in December, 1998.
Each town has a unique approach to the subject of regulation permitted under G.L. c. 40
§3. The towns' zoning regulations generally fall into 3 categories:
1. No regulation at all
2. Adoption in some way of a multi acre `carve out' from the agricultural exemption.
State law permits regulation of agricultural activities on parcels of < 5 acres.
3. Attempts to define and regulate 'agricultural activities' which may or may not be
consistent with the current cases. Some towns draw .distinctions between raising
crops and raising and keeping farm animals.
4. Some combination of 2 and 3.
Lo/schmidUcpdcagdzoning.mm2
AGRICULTURAL ZONING BYLAW
COMPARISON
Town Pane
Reading
1
Andover
3
Billerica
5
Natick
7
Needham
8
North Andover
10
North Reading
12
Stoneham
15
Tewksbury
16
Wakefield
18
Wilmington
20
4.2.2. Table of Uses (continued'
PRINCIPAL- USES RES
RES
RES
SUS
BUS
BUS
IND
S-15
A-40
A-80
A
B
C
S-2Q
S-40
Business& Service Uses (continued)
Hotel Or Motel No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Tourist Or Trailer Camp Nd
No
No
jNo
No
No
No
Place Of Assembly No
No
No
Yes
Yes'
No
Yes
Funeral Establishment No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Veterinary Establishment No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Planned Unit Development No
No
No
No
No
No
SPP*
Adul se No
No
No
No
No
No
SPA**'
Automotive Uses
Sale Of New Or Used No
No.
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Service Station No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Repair Garage No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Car Wash No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Commercial Parking Lot No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Auto Grave Yard No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Industrial Uses
Computer Services No
No
No
No
No .
Yes
Yes
Laboratories No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Research & Development No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Publishing & Printing No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Communication Facilities No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Commercial Communications SPA
Structures
No
SPA
SPA
SPA
SPA
SPA
Public Utilities Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Enclosed Storage No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Open Storage No
No
No
No
No .
No
No
Dry Cleaning Plant No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Recreational Uses
Commercial Amusements No
No
No
SPS
SPS
SPS
SPS
Commercial Race Track No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Other Uses
Ari;culture:;,FHorticulture, Floriculture Yes Y
es
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Commercial Earth Removal SPA S
PA S
PA S
PA S
PA
SPA
SPA
Substantially Similar To Permitted No N
o N
o S
PA S
PA
SPA S
PA
Municipal Building Reuse SPA S
PA S
PA S
PA S
PA
SPA S
PA
Reading Zoning By-Laws 8 Revised Aug., 1997
I
igr"
)rtion
and
by the
e.
Sand,
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living
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From
ion
:k,,
:cupied
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2.2.15. Grade, Natural: Theration of the 2.2.18. Kindergarten, Private: A private
undisturbed natural soft, of the school for children of pre-primary
ground adjoining a school age having an enrollment of
three (3) or more children of different
2.2.15.1. Groundwater: All and parentage.
beneath the ground sadate..
slowly moving sub-surhm water
present in aquifers mcharge
areas.
2.2.15.2. Hazardous And T m' . Any solid or
liquid substance or ination of
substances, includin gm, y liquid
petroleum products, , because of
quantity, concentra tc physical,
chemical or infectiaus iacteristics,
poses a significant pat` or potential
hazard to water su , f or to human
health if disposed of 1W or on any
land or water in this T van. Any sub-
stance deemed a liazadbus waste" in
Massachusetts Gen Laws Chapter
21 C, or deemed as tom or hazardous
substance in Massach melts General
Laws Chapter 94B shaitalso be
deemed a hazardous mterial for
purposes of this Bye.
2.2.16. Height Of A Building Ihe vertical
distance measured ate, center line of
its principal front froruit established
grade or from the naUml grade if
higher than the estaied grade, or
from the natural gradetao. grade has
been established: twOmbvel of the
highest point of the axaeams in the
case of flat roof or r Fnclining not
more than one inchlaftfoot, and to
the mean height levdb&Ween the top
of the main plate andle highest ridge
in the case of other ra*.
2.2.17. Home Occupatiorr.'3bease of room
or rooms in a dwelling as an office,
studio or working room ;:a person
resident in the housevOere no goods
are publicly displayed: aroffered for
sate.
2.2.19. Landscaped Area: Land area not
covered by building, parking spaces
and driveways.
2.2.19.1. Leachable Wastes: Waste materials,
including solid waste and sludge, that
are capable of releasing water-bome
contaminants to penetrating water
derived from rain or snowmelt.
2.2.20. Lot: A parcel of land occupied or
designed to be occupied by principal
and accessory buildings or uses,
including such open spaces as are
arranged and designed to be used in
connection with such buildings.
2.2.21. Lot Coverage: That proportion
expressed as a percent of the total lot
area covered by principal buildings.
2.2.21.1 Lot Width: The width of a lot gov-
erned by the diameter of a circle, said
circle fitting entirely within the lot and
being tangent with the front lot line.
2.2.22. Non-Conforming: A condition
structure or use inconsistent with this
By-Law, and lawfully in existence at
the time the provision with which it
does not conform became effective.
2.2.23. Nursing Home: A convalescent or
rest home.
2.2.24. Overlay District: A district super-
imposed on one (1) or more districts
which may establish restrictions in
addition to the regulations of the
district or districts superimposed.
2.2.25.
2.2.17.1. Impermeable Surfam Natural or
manmade material on feground that -
does not allow surface vaster to 2.2.26.
penetrate into the soil
Place Of Assembly: A. theater,_
bowling alley or other similar enclosed
place. -
Roadside Stand: The sale of natural
products raised on the premises and
articles manufactured on the premises
from such products.
I., 1997 1 Reading Zoning By-Laws 3 Revised Aug., 1997
Sec. IV
ANDOVER CODE
Residence Business Industrial
SRA SRB SRC APT SC OP GB MU IG IA ID
that it is njA Bible from
any way or fma any resi-
dential propexty which a-
buts the lot which the
motor vehiclais stored
(Amended 4-IM8, Art. 94)
(g) Truck terminAar interme-
diate transfer ility
(h) Any use wYmit creates a
hazard to safes and health
in the co y or dan-
ger of fire or implosion or
which creates&st, smoke,
odor, fumes, gas: vapor, fly
ash, sewage, refuse, noise
_
or vibration, any of which
are perceptNe under nor-
mal conditians at any prop-
erty line
-
Other Main Um
- 30.
Agriculture, hortimlture, fiori-
Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
culture on lot cfmme than five
(5) acres. See section W.G.
31.
Agricultural orcrmp land includ-
BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA
ing the raising d-Avestock on
lots of five (5) atres or less;
provided that tbeabove shall
not be construe Impermit the
operation of piggeries, poultry
farms or establimfinients rais-
ing animals primarily for the
sale of their for: See Section
W.G.
32.
Public transportafim station or
BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA
terminal excludixWzi orts
33.
Transformer statim substation,
BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA
pumping station, done ex-
change, telephone. w radio re-
peater, or other sbaflar utility
installation provideithat in any
residential district no public
business office, sbrage yard,
~ f
storage building, or motor
maintenance installation may
be operated in connection there-
with
34A.
General removalofearth mate-
N N N N N N N N N BS BS
2 1 r, al,hiect to the nrgvisions of
-a
Residence Business Inc
SRA SRB SRC APT SC OP GB MU IG
3$A.
Use of a room or =wzs. in a de-
BA BA BA N BA N BA BA BA
tached one-family cling or
accessory buildmZ a dwell-
ing by relatives ftmason of
birth or marriageDw&tre
is a need by reason af illness,
disability or age may~iring ex-
tended care or . 'lion of
the relative. Th xm shall be
subject to reaso conditions
and the requirem ; for renew-
able time periot exceed-
ing five (b) years
39.
Office in a dwe the prac-
Y Y Y N N N Y Y Y
tice of a resident. law-
yer, or dentist, ided that
not more than t(Z) persons
not members -of resident
family are.regul employed
therein yin a techmiial, capaci-
'ty, and that such -zw occupies
not more than tbb* three and
one-third (33%) } t of the
total floor area of tl. dwelling
ling
40.
Tennis or similar.s or swim
Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
ming pool, provl&i. that any
swimming pool dale. enclosed
by a fence or w.al v&h safety
gate, at least fivefeet high,
which may be the-*ell or fence
of an above-gro if equip-
ped with removs kladders
41.
Roadside stand ire. sale of
BA BA BA BA BA N BA BA . BA
.the produce pm land
of the owner, pied that
such stand.shalllmt back at
'least thirty (30).fed from the
way
42.
The keeping or ding of
Y Y Y N N N N N Y
horses, ponies, or other
large domestic aximik-
A. Solely as pets; or for pri-
vate noncomunevial use,
provided:
1. That there is a min-
-
imum lot zE:e of two
(2) acres the first
such anima.
2. That there is a min-
imum of onealditional
acre for eadadditional
animal up to a max-
imum of six (6) ani-
mals;