MBTA Communities Discussion
Reading, MA — Community Development Director Andrew MacNichol provided an update to the Select Board regarding the two-year-long planning effort surrounding the town’s plans for MBTA Communities compliance. MacNichol, in presenting the two final concepts as discussed by the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC), explained, “[The concepts] we have crafted are reasonable, practical, and have their merits.”
The first concept, A-80 expansion, combines maintaining the current 40-R district as is while taking credit for existing density in the Reading Commons and Gazebo Circle/Summit Towers areas. The maximum density in these two areas would need to be increased from eighteen to thirty units per acre to comply. This would create a unit capacity of 1,530 units, with 1,025 units already existing. CPDC chair John Weston explained that one negative to this concept is that South Main Street, which is part of the other concept, is likely to be developed anyway in the coming years, so the town should try to get compliance credit for this expected development.
mbta-communitys-09924Concept two would require upzoning in the current downtown smart growth district while maintaining the desired affordability rate and promoting growth in existing forms. Minimum lot sizes and setback controls would be reduced in the area. This concept would also create zones for multifamily use on South Main Street and in a small area of North Main Street. This concept would create a 1,636-unit capacity with 706 units currently existing. Weston then shared that one negative to this concept would be increasing density to thirty-five units per acre in the downtown, which has been controversial in the past.
MacNichol continued, sharing that the concepts could continue to be developed as is, or they could be combined in some other solution, noting that all the areas under consideration have practicality and reasons to use them for compliance. He also shared that there will be public hearings on the two concepts on September 16 and September 19.
After the presentation, Select Board member Mark Dockser expressed his interest in continuing to increase affordability in town and that his preference is for concept two. Member Karen Herrick asked whether or not either concept allowed for “wiggle room” in case the state required more of the town for compliance. MacNichol indicated that concept one did not provide for much additional expansion if needed. Member Melissa Murphy expressed concern regarding concept two as it would reverse some of the changes recently approved by Town Meeting for downtown zoning.
Town Meeting is expected to vote on a finalized compliance zoning this November.
Haven Streetscape Discussion
Town Engineer Ryan Percival gave the board an update regarding “phase two” of the downtown streetscape improvements, which are focused on the intersection of Haven Street and High Street and the surrounding areas. He shared that the plans intend to make the area safer for pedestrians, create additional green space, and improve accessibility. It also focuses on creating placemaking space for events such as the Fall Street Faire.
Landscape architect Scott Ridder shared a plan that will expand the plaza in the depot, with trees, seating, and a raised intersection at Haven and High to reduce vehicle speed. There will be bump outs which will slow and direct traffic and create shorter crosswalks, adding to pedestrian safety. An upgraded light signal will be placed at the intersection of High Street and Woburn Street, and a raised island will be created at the intersection of High Street and Washington Street. He also shared plans for upgraded lighting in the area.
downtonw-reading-phase-2-0924Percival reported that there would be a loss of twenty-seven total parking spaces, though most of these would be on High Street and would be used to create spaces for street trees. Murphy stated that while she is in favor of the raised areas for slowing traffic, she is concerned about the loss of parking spaces on the High Street end of Haven Street. Percival explained that though a couple of spaces would be lost on Haven Street, these would be on the Main Street end of Haven to allow for a couple of accessible parking spaces and an additional crosswalk.
“The gain is well worth it,” Percival explained.
Herrick asked about safety improvements to the other side of the depot. Percival explained that this area is outside the scope of the project but that it should be looked at for future improvements. Percival continued to share that the total cost for the project would be $8 million. A MassWorks grant has provided funding for $2.6 million of that cost that needs to be applied to improvements on High Street. The town has also applied for a $2.5 million federal earmark to offset other costs. The current plan is to borrow $5.4 million for the project unless the earmark materializes.
Town Forest Committee
Town Forest Committee chair Bill Sullivan reported on progress being made in the Town Forest regarding the removal of dead red pine trees and invasive species from the forest. The red pines are not native to Massachusetts and were planted in the 1930s. They have become dangerous as they are vulnerable to the warming climate. Phase four of the red pine removal will be completed this winter on the remaining 5.1 acres of the trees, provided Town Meeting approves the $60,000 needed to complete the task. The committee will also ask Town Meeting for $100,000 to complete phase five of the removal of invasive species in the forest.
Sullivan also explained that the Town Forest Committee will ask Town Meeting to revise the bylaw regarding the number of unleashed dogs allowed with one handler in the forest. He shared that there are almost daily incidents between dogs and other residents in the forest.
tfc-0924“If someone walks in a dog park, they would have every expectation of there being groups of unleashed dogs,” Sullivan explained. “[The Town Forest] is not a dog park.”
The proposed changes would more precisely define how voice control over a dog is determined and would limit the number of unleashed dogs allowed to two per person. Select Board member Chris Haley inquired as to why unleashed dogs would be allowed at all. Sullivan explained that allowing two was the compromise the committee agreed upon.
The board approved a shared services inter-municipal agreement with the Middlesex-Essex Public Health Collaborative by a vote of 5-0. The goal of the agreement is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of local public health agencies.
The board also voted 5-0 to approve a Massachusetts Department of Transportation request for a land damage agreement for the taking of town-owned property in Wilmington. By a vote of 4-1, the board appointed Laura Noonan to the Recreation Committee. It also voted 5-0 to approve a section 19B exemption request for Town Counsel regarding advice given on the Town Charter. Town Manager Matt Kraunelis announced that Fire Chief Greg Burns will retire after forty years in the Reading Fire Department next spring.
The Select Board adjourned at 9:50 pm.
