M I N U T E S
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Mr. Christopher Hayden, Chairman, called the Tuesday, April 12, 2005 meeting of the Community Planning Commission to order at 7:31 p.m. in Room 10 of the North Reading Town Hall, 235 North Street, North Reading, MA.
MEMBERS
PRESENT: Christopher Hayden, Chairperson
Neal Rooney, Vice Chairperson
Patricia Romeo, Clerk
Warren Pearce
M. Shep Spear
STAFF
PRESENT: Robert J. Rodgers, Planning Administrator
Debra Savarese, Administrative Assistant
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Minutes
Mr. Pearce moved, seconded by Mr. Hayden and voted 2-0: (Mr. Spear abstained, Mr. Rooney & Mrs. Romeo absent)
that the Community Planning Commission vote to accept the minutes of March 15, 2005.
Mr. Rooney arrived at 7:35PM.
Mrs. Romeo arrived at 7:37PM.
High Street Extension – Preliminary Subdivision - P.H. 8:00PM
Mrs. Romeo read the hearing notice into the record.
Mr. Hayden stated that Mr. Pearce would be abstaining from this discussion.
Jim Kavanaugh of Premier Development stated that the proposal is to subdivide an existing lot on Locust Street, consisting of approximately three acres into three lots, with one lot that would be accessed off Locust Street. The other two lots would be serviced from a cul-de-sac at the end of High Street. The lots are approximately 40,000 sq. ft., with a 160’ frontage. The improvements will consists of paving High Street from its beginning at MacArthur Road to the end, creating a cul-de-sac at the End of High Street. Utilities will be added to the site. An 8” water main will be installed from MacArthur Road to the end of the cul-de-sac with a new hydrant and a stub for future use on Locust Street. Underground and aboveground drainage will be installed. Drainage will be
brought down to MacArthur Road into catch basins and then proceed into the Linwood Avenue drainage system. A sedimentation basin will be located on lot 3 at the end of the cul-de-sac, overflow will be diverted into the existing wetlands. Individual driveways that will cross over wetlands will service the lots. A Notice of Intent will be filed with the Conservation Commission. The existing lot’s driveway will be located to Locust Street.
Mrs. Romeo read the Town Engineer’s (4/6/05), Fire Department’s (3/2/05), Water Department’s (3/11/05) and School Department’s (11/13/05) memos into the record.
Mrs. Romeo stated that the existing house on Locust Street is being accessed, so why is only a part of the R.O.W. on Locust Street being paved?
Jim Kavanaugh stated that they are not going down Locust Street, they are only providing a driveway to the existing house.
Mr. Hayden stated that an abutter has mentioned that fire apparatus would not be able to make the turn down Locust Street because there is a phone pole blocking the way.
Jim Kavanaugh stated that they have not met with anyone from Reading Light Company to discuss this issue at this time, but this would be addressed.
Mrs. Romeo stated that she is not in favor of the slope bituminous concrete curbs being proposed.
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Mr. Hayden stated this is a subdivision and the Rules and Regulations clearly state that granite curbing is required.
Jim Kavanaugh stated that because of the size of the project (only two lots) that slope bituminous concrete curbs would be preferable.
Mr. Hayden stated that there already seems to be six waivers required for this subdivision and it seems that the cul-de-sac is only 80’ because if it were 120’ there would not be enough area to make these three lots.
Jim Kavanaugh stated that the cul-de-sac was made 80’ so as not to encroach into the wetlands.
Mr. Spear stated that the turn-around radius needs to be approved by the Fire Department and he will not support the bituminous curbs.
Mr. Rooney asked about the utilities and if trees would be cut.
Jim Kavanaugh stated that the utilities would be underground and very few trees would be cleared.
Mr. Hayden stated that the lowest part of Locust Street should be relocated back into the R.O.W. and off the property.
John Silvestro of 35 Linwood Avenue stated that he is concerned with the following items:
- Cul-de-sac is approximately 3’ from the rear of his property line.
- Too small for more than one fire truck.
- Stormwater retention may be a hazard.
- How will the construction of the roadway affect the wetlands?
Lucy DiPinto of 3 Locust Street stated that she is concerned with the catch basins dumping into the wetlands and her well being affected by the construction. She would also like to request that sidewalks and lights be installed for safety reasons.
Marianne Lipert of 5 Locust Street stated that a tree and pole need to be removed on High Street.
Douglas Lipert of 5 Locust Street asked if a fire hydrant could be placed at the High Street and Locust Street corner?
Jim Kavanaugh stated that the fire hydrants would be placed at the Fire Department’s request.
Joseph DeCristoforo of 16 Wadsworth Road asked if the leaching field would affect his well?
Mr. Hayden stated that his well is not listed on the plan as a working well.
Rick Foye of 18 Wadsworth Road asked what the setback requirements are for septic systems?
Jim Kavanaugh stated that the regulations are at least 10’ from a property line.
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Mrs. Romeo stated that she has the following concerns:
1. The width of High Street.
2. Public safety concerns for vehicles traveling on Locust Street and High Street.
3. Condition of Locust Street.
4. The radius, turn-around and grading for High Street.
5. Sidewalks, tree cutting, sloped bituminous concrete curbs and neighboring wells.
Mr. Rooney stated that such a small project seems to be creating a lot of problems. He is also concerned with the neighboring wells.
Mr. Spear stated that he is concerned with the tree cutting
John Silvestro of 35 Linwood Avenue asked who maintains the pipe in the culvert under the driveways?
Answer: The property owners.
Carrie Wilson stated that she is concerned with the traffic this subdivision will create.
John Silvestro of 35 Linwood Avenue stated that the sight distance is not good.
Public Hearing continued to May 17, 2005 @ 8:00PM.
54 & 55 Adam Street – Determination of Access – P.H. 8:50PM
Mrs. Romeo read the public hearing notice into the record.
Attorney Senior presented a revised proposal to NOT implement this plan but to work with the Department of Public Works to build the entire length of Adam Street. Paul O’Leary will pay the Town of North Reading for an 18’ wide paved road for 1700 feet.
Mrs. Romeo referenced the Planning Administrator’s (4/6/05), Town Engineer’s (4/11/05), Conservation Commission’s (3/28/05), Water Department’s 3/23/05), Fire Department’s (3/23/05) and School Department’s (3/24/05) memos into the record.
Mr. Rodgers asked if this would create new lots?
Paul O’Leary stated that he is not creating new lots.
Public hearing continued to April 26, 2005 @ 8:30PM.
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8 Plymouth Street – Site Plan Review – P.H. 9:20PM
Mrs. Romeo stated that she would recuse herself from the public hearing and would like to state that she has not contacted any member of the board or the planning administrator regarding this application.
Mr. Pearce read the public hearing notice into the record.
Tom Romeo of 74 North Street presented the proposal to build a two-story office building, located in the Highway Business (HB) District. Currently it is a 9600 sq. ft. vacant lot. Some of the issues brought to his attention by Mr. Rodgers were the detention area and the 100 year flood zone.
Mr. Hayden read the Abutter’s Petition (4/5/05) into the record.
Mr. Pearce read the Town Engineer’s (4/11/05), Planning Administrator’s (4/6/05), Fire Department’s (3/24/05), Water Department’s (3/23/05) and School Department’s (3/24/05) memos into the record.
Tom Romeo stated that he would change the drainage basin and redesign it as a closed system per the Town Engineer’s request. The rear and side setbacks are within the limits of the rules and regulations and buffers will be provided if needed. The architectural plans will be provided after the Zoning Board of Appeals approval.
Mr. Pearce asked how high the retention walls would be?
Tom Romeo stated that the walls should be no more than 4’ high. He also stated that Mr. Rodgers was concerned with the grandfathering of the lot. The area is zoned commercial and therefore it does not qualify for grandfathering.
Mr. Rodgers stated that he did consult with Town Council and they agree that it does not qualify for grandfathering. The applicant must seek relief from the Zoning Board of Appeals in order to build on this lot
Mr. Hayden asked what the intended use would be for the building?
Tom Romeo stated that the use would be a garage with office space upstairs.
Robert Fierro of 14 Plymouth Street provided pictures of the current turn-around.
Cindy LaRose of 6 Plymouth Street stated that she is concerned with drainage. She was also informed that her septic system might be located on this property and if the road is improved at 40’ wide it would rip out the new retaining wall.
Mr. Hayden stated that the R.O.W. is 40’ not the roadway.
Robert Fierro of 14 Plymouth Street stated that when he purchased his home the whole area was zoned residential, now that this property is zoned commercial he has a million dollar property that will be located next to a garage and it will has decrease his property value.
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Ted Neals of 45 Chestnut Street stated that this property has been zoned commercial long before the houses were built.
Ruth Fierro stated that there are already businesses located at the end of the street and does not want to see another business put in.
Mr. Hayden stated that the property owner has rights to develop his property and is developing it according to the zoning.
Mr. Rooney departed at 9:53PM.
Janet Fitzgerald of 7 Plymouth Street wants Mr. Romeo to know that the neighborhood is very unhappy with this project.
Public hearing continued to April 26, 2005 @ 9:00PM.
1 Winthrop Road, 21 Wilson Avenue, 184 & 186 Main Street – SPR
P. H. 9:30PM
Attorney Senior presented the revisions on the plans.
1. Rear elevations have been added to the plans.
2. Eliminated walkway at the front of the building.
3. Add sidewalk along roadway.
4. Add three parking spaces.
Vincent Visconti of 2 Eisenhaure Lane presented the façade for the building. Block samples were shown.
Mr. Hayden asked how big the blocks would be?
Vincent Visconti stated 15”w x 8”h.
Attorney Senior stated that they are used in residential and professional office buildings.
Mr. Hayden stated that the color the Community Planning Commission is interested would be in, is gray.
The Community Planning Commission is agreeable to the Site Plan but wants to see new façade drawing.
Public hearing continued to April 26, 2005 @ 9:30PM.
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ADJOURNMENT AT 10:45P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Patricia Romeo, Clerk
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