M I N U T E S
Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Mr. Christopher Hayden, Chairman, called the Tuesday, January 4, 2005 meeting of the Community Planning Commission to order at 7:37 p.m. in Room 10 of the North Reading Town Hall, 235 North Street, North Reading, MA.
MEMBERS
PRESENT: Christopher Hayden, Chairperson
Patricia Romeo, Clerk
Warren Pearce
M. Shepard Spear
STAFF
PRESENT: Robert J. Rodgers, Planning Administrator
Debra Savarese, Administrative Assistant
CPC January 4, 2005 Page 2
Minutes
Mrs. Romeo moved, seconded by Mr. Pearce and voted 4-0: (Mr. Rooney absent)
that the Community Planning Commission vote to accept the minutes of November 16, 2004.
20 Main Street
Mr. Rodgers stated that he met with John Lucci who has requested that the Conditional Approval for 20 Main Street (Autozone) be changed. The agreement was that the façade would be changed if any future construction were done to this site.
The Community Planning Commission consensus is that the Conditional Approval would remain as written.
271 Main Street – SPR – P.H. 8:00PM
Mrs. Romeo read the Public Hearing notice into the record.
Attorney James Senior stated that the proposal is for 332 sq. ft. building. The purpose of the building would be for T-Mobile cell phone sales. A variance has been requested from the Zoning Board of Appeals to allow the building to be placed in the front setback. The reason for this request is because there is a traffic aisle that exits the site on this side of the property. The Zoning Board of Appeals is awaiting the decision of the Community Planning Commission’s Site Plan Review. The plan being submitted this evening shows the entrance facing Main Street. The plan submitted to the Zoning Board of Appeals had the rear of the building facing Main Street.
Mrs. Romeo stated that she is adamantly opposed to the façade of the building and the location.
Mr. Hayden asked if the three signs located on the building and one on the freestanding sign are beyond the limitations of the zoning?
James Karam stated no. The signs are interior lit and there is no space for advertisement on the freestanding sign.
Mr. Hayden stated that Mr. Rodgers’ suggestion to place the building approximately 60’ back along the side line is a good idea. This would also allow the building to be placed without a variance.
Mr. Pearce asked if there would be any running water in the building?
Mr. Hayden stated that according to the Water Department’s memo there is no running water.
Attorney Senior stated that the Health Agent would most likely approve a tight tank for this site.
Mr. Hayden asked who would own the building?
CPC January 4, 2005 Page 3
James Karam stated that the shopping center would own the building and then lease it with Millennium Venture Group who exclusively deals with T-Mobile. They way they are seeking a variance is that the only use permitted would be for a T-Mobile site, if a change was made a new variance would have to be requested.
Mr. Hayden stated that the façade will have to be changed.
Attorney Senior asked what type of change would be acceptable.
Mr. Rodgers gave Attorney Senior the design guidelines for this district.
The Community Planning Commission would like to see the following changes made:
- Roof line to look more colonial.
- Exterior lit signs.
- Move building back to meet setbacks.
- Building façade in keeping with district guidelines.
Mr. Hayden asked what the hours of operation would be and if the lights would be turned off?
James Karam stated that they would be the same as the other stores on this site and most of the lights would be turned off.
Denise Murphy of 270 Main Street stated that she is concerned with the façade of the building, hours of operation, after hours lighting.
Maureen Doherty of the Transcript asked what the color scheme would be for the building?
James Karam stated brick, stone and steel.
The Fire Department’s (12/30/04), Water Department’s (12/13/04) and Planning Administrator’s (01/04/05) memos were referenced into the record.
The Public Hearing was continued to January 18, 2005 @ 8:45PM.
ADJOURNMENT AT 9:00P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Patricia Romeo, Clerk
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