Reading, MA — The Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) opened a public hearing for an application by Chase Bank to build a one-story financial office at 431 Main Street on Monday. The current business on the site is the Reading Petroleum service station.
Chase proposes constructing a 3,200-square-foot building on the southeast corner of the 16,300-square-foot business-zoned portion of the lot at the corner of Main Street and Washington Street. Access and one curb cut on Main Street and access and one curb cut on Washington Street would be maintained, but the existing curb cut closest to the intersection on Main Street would be closed. A parking lot for 15 cars would be built along with accompanying landscaping elements. “It will be a big improvement over the 100% impervious surface [currently on the site],” Senior Project Designer Kevin Kelly suggested. Chase would also “clean up” and maintain the adjacent residentially-zoned property on Washington Street, currently used for vehicle storage.
Kelly continued to explain that the primary entrance for the new building would be on the south-facing side of the building toward the parking lot. CPDC member Mark Wetzel commented that the north-facing side of the building looks like one big wall, which is the view one would see from the north coming south on Main Street. Kelly noted the concern and suggested adding architectural details to address the issue. CPDC chair Heather Clish approved of the “right in, right out” configuration of the entrance on Main Street, asking that it be maintained and added on the Washington Street entrance to enhance safety for pedestrians and bikers. One resident noted that the proposed building might be located too close to the intersection, affecting site lines.
CPDC continued the public hearing to April 10 at 8:00 pm.
CPDC also opened a public hearing for a preliminary subdivision application for 0 Annette Lane. The proposal would create a lot for one additional single-family home. Attorney Robert Galvin, speaking for developer Peter Seibold, shared that the lot is “leftover” from a subdivision that was developed in 1985. The proposed house would meet all setback requirements and zoning regulations for lot size and frontage. Seibold proposes extending the pavement for Annette Lane by thirty feet to achieve driveway access. One utility pole and one existing hydrant would also need to be relocated. Galvin continued to describe the proposal as “an appropriate use of the land, a moderately-sized home centrally located on the lot.”
Galvin continued to describe the requested waivers for the project, including a topography of adjacent lots, a traffic study, test borings, and granite curbing. CPDC member John Weston noted that a dead end of this type would typically require a cul-de-sac for safety reasons. He also shared that since they will need a topographic map for Conservation Commission consideration, it could also be done for CPDC. He concluded by noting that CPDC rarely gives waivers for the curbing. CPDC member Pamela Adrian expressed doubts regarding a waiver for test borings.
Much discussion ensued regarding emergency access to the site and the possibility of a small bridge to connect to Applegate Lane. Several abutters indicated concerns with this idea. Others expressed concern over water runoff. “We live at the top of a hill, but we live in a swamp,” abutter Chris House explained.
CPDC continued the public hearing to April 10 at 7:30 pm, when the developer will present a revised list of waiver requests for CPDC to consider.
CPDC also opened a hearing regarding a three-lot subdivision at 45 Beacon Street. There is one single-family home on the site, and developer Angelo Salamone proposes adding two additional lots for single-family homes. Development Director Andrew MacNichol explained that the site was approved for a ten-unit 40B development in the early 2000s but was never developed. He also shared that the inactivity of the site is currently under review by the state. All three lots of the newly-proposed subdivision would meet zoning requirements for lot size, frontage, and setbacks.
Salamone is asking for waivers regarding right-of-way width, roadway grading, and sidewalks with granite curbing. He is also requesting that the requirement for a cul-de-sac be waived. Weston noted that the plan must prove that a 60-foot right-of-way can exist, but the width of the actual pavement can be negotiated to fit in with the rest of the street. Clish shared that she would have difficulty approving the proposed turn-around without fire department approval. The fire department submitted a memo to the CPDC requesting a cul-de-sac at the site. Salamone presented an alternate idea that would use an existing right-of-way to Main Street as a solution to the fire department’s concerns. Abutter Mary Joyce pointed out that while the right-of-way exists, Salamone does not own it.
CPDC continued the public hearing to May 15 at 7:30 pm.
By a vote of 5-0, CPDC also accepted the reduction of surety and a certificate of completion for the development at Coakley Way. The public hearing for 25 Haven Street was continued again to April 10 at 9:00 pm by a vote of 5-0 at the developer’s request.
CPDC adjourned at 11:30 pm.
