625 Main Street Washington Appartments
Reading, MA — By a vote of 4-0, the CPDC approved a minor site plan to remove the balconies on the Main Street-facing facade of the General Washington Apartments on Monday. The building is located at 625 Main Street. Project architect Gregory Smith shared that repair of the existing balconies has been abandoned after the level of deterioration was determined to make the balconies not structurally sound. The submitted plan is to replace the balconies with “Juliet balconies” for safety, as it is planned for the sliding glass doors to remain. The existing entrance on Main Street will also be retained. Building owner Carl Valeri indicated that the landscaping on the Main Street side of the building would also be updated.
CPDC member John Weston, while understanding the concern regarding the structural integrity of the current balconies, did express that the change would dramatically impact the look of the downtown, given the location and high visibility of the building. Weston noted that without the balconies, the facade of the building “is as flat as can be.” Weston continued to state, “I assure you, we would not approve a building like that today.” CPDC chair Heather Clish shared similar concerns. Weston continued, suggesting that architectural details could be added “to break up that enormous brick space.”
The changes were approved subject to staff review of the suggested added details.
581-591 Main Street
Architect Chris Gregoris presented plans to the CPDC to remove the concrete parapet on the building once known as the Grant Block at 581-591 Main Street. This building houses several businesses, including Pizza World and Avana Sushi. Gregoris explained that the parapet is weighing down the building, causing structural issues, using this to stress the urgency of the change. The building owner shared that one exterior wall of the building is already beginning to bulge out and that at least one brick has already fallen. Weston agreed with the assessment, “For as long as I’ve been in town, this has looked like it is going to fall.”
Clish stated concerns about the plain nature of what would be left after removal and asked if decorative brickwork could be used to add detail and interest to the top of the building on the Main Street side. Virginia Adams and Jonathan Barnes from the Historical Commission indicated that the existing parapet is of architectural and historical significance to the town. The building is listed on the inventory of historical structures.
“Literally the primary significant architectural feature that renders this building as important to place it on the inventory is exactly what this applicant is proposing to eliminate,” Barnes said. Adams added a suggestion that the parapet could be retained with the use of modern materials.
Clish indicated that there is also some missing information in the application, such as avenues for possible historic preservation and clarification as to whether or not the demolition would need to go through a demolition delay hearing with the Historical Commission. She suggested that the applicant meets with the Historical Commission to sort out their differences. The CPDC voted 4-0 to continue the discussion on November 7 at 9:30 pm.
Attorney Chris Latham, speaking for the developer of the new building at 531 Main Street, the former Chronicle building, asked that CPDC grant a minor modification to the plans. Latham proposed that 22 of the 24 windows on the south-facing side of the building were not needed as they are only feet from the abutting building at 525 Main Street and that none of the windows would provide light to any apartments. Latham offered that the windows would provide “no esthetic value whatsoever” as most cannot be seen from any direction. He also stated that supply chain issues have raised the cost of the fire-rated windows significantly and that the building inspector had raised safety concerns about the windows as well. Weston expressed concern about what the facade would look like if, for some reason, the abutting building at 525 Main Street ceased to exist. He suggested that the building incorporate “fake” window frames in the next two bays closest to Main Street to account for that possibility.
After some back and forth, it was agreed that these changes could be approved administratively, and the CPDC voted 4-0 to approve the minor plan change.
CPDC also voted 4-0 to approve a minor amendment to the PUD-R approval for the Johnson Woods project. Included is the allowance of “building envelopes” on the plans for remaining buildings so that the developer does not have to return to CPDC to approve every minor change in the location of foundations in the project.
CPDC solicited ideas from the public for a planned “pocket park” next to the Auburn Street water tower site. Ideas include adding walkways, benches, or play structures. Other ideas include a community garden, horseshoe pits, and a bocce court. Town Engineer Ryan Percival will explore options at the site.
CPDC voted 3-0 to approve a wall sign and 4-0 to approve a special permit for a lawn sign at 46 Woburn Street. It voted 4-0 to continue the public hearing for a proposed development at 25 Haven Street to November 7 at 8:30pm at the applicant’s request. CPDC voted 4-0 to recommend Article six of the Town Meeting warrant, establishing a new Affordable Housing Trust Fund. By a vote of 4-0, CPDC nominated Clish to represent the commission on the Symonds Way Exploratory Committee.
CPDC concluded its meeting with an analysis and review of the MBTA community’s regulations and how they may impact Reading by Director of Development Julie Mercier.
CPDC adjourned at midnight.
