Reading, MA — By a vote of 5-0, the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) approved the site plan review for a proposed new one-story Chase Bank building at 431 Main Street on Monday. The current business on the site is the Reading Petroleum service station.
Chase proposes the construction of a 3,200-square-foot building on the northwest corner of the 16,300-square-foot business-zoned portion of the lot located at the corner of Main Street and Washington Street. A parking lot for fifteen cars would be built along with accompanying landscaping elements. Chase will also “clean up” and maintain the adjacent residentially-zoned property on Washington Street, which is currently used for vehicle storage.
Project Engineer Jerry Fonseca highlighted improvements to the curb cuts on Main Street and on Washington Street to make them more “pedestrian friendly,” as well as a redesigned northern-facing facade. CPDC member Mark Wetzel questioned the entrance facing the parking on the side of the building as opposed to the Main Street side. While appreciating the desire for a Main Street-facing entrance, Member John Weston shared that keeping the building on the street side of the lot was of prime importance. Fonseca agreed, stating that if the entrance were to be on the Main Street side of the building, the owner would insist on locating the parking there as well. “You can’t force people to walk ten, twenty, forty feet around the building,” Weston explained.
Annette Lane
CPDC also voted 5-0 to approve the preliminary subdivision plan for 0 Annette Lane. The proposal would create a lot for one additional single-family home. 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. Owner Peter Seibold proposes extending the pavement for Annette Lane by 30 feet to achieve driveway access. One utility pole and one existing hydrant would also need to be relocated.
At CPDC’s request, engineer Andrew Pandolph presented a plan showing that a cul-de-sac could fit while maintaining all zoning requirements. Weston noted that the production of this plan does not mean that a cul-de-sac will be built, just that one is plausible. Weston also clarified that this is just a preliminary plan and that the Seibold would still need Conservation Commission approval of the project, given the extensive wetlands on the property. The developer would also have to submit a definitive sub-division plan for CPDC approval before the project could begin. Several abutters spoke at the meeting, questioning the extension of Annette Lane, the possible need for blasting on the hill, lawn size, and the number of trees that would need to be removed for the project to be completed.
Several waivers for the project were also granted, including those for sidewalks on both sides, street trees, and a separate environmental impact report due the likelihood that the Conservation Commission will require one.
25 Haven Street
CPDC also voted 5-0 to continue the 40R plan review for 25 Haven Street at the owner’s request. It voted 5-0 to appoint Weston as secretary. CPDC adjourned to executive session at 11:00 pm.
