Below is a summarized version of the Community Planning & Development Commission (CPDC) meeting organized by timestamps and speakers, focusing on key points raised during the discussion in Reading, Massachusetts. This summary condenses the discussion into major themes, speaker contributions, and decisions, avoiding excessive detail while retaining the essence of the conversation. Timestamps correspond to the video linked at the bottom.
- 🔹 Meeting Opening & Attendance
- 🔹 Master Signage Plan – 6–16 Chute Street
- 🔹 Continued Public Hearing: 420 Haverhill Street – Cobblestone Corner Academy
- 🔹 Continued Public Hearing: 885 Main Street – Primrose School
- 🔹 Continued Public Hearing: 346–348 Main Street – Park Realty Trust
- 🔹 Definitive Subdivision: Zero Herald Avenue
- 🔹 ADU Bylaw Discussion
- 🔹 Meeting Minutes Approval
- 🔹 Adjournment
- 🔹 Key Outcomes Summary
🌆 CPDC Meeting Summary – August 11, 2025
📍 Location: Select Board Room, Reading Town Hall & Zoom
🎙️ Acting-Chair: Gaetano Manganiello (recused 1st agenda topic)
🔹 Meeting Opening & Attendance
⏰ 5:22–5:58
- Hybrid meeting protocols reviewed.
- Present: John Arena, Hillary Mateev, Tom Armstrong, Guy Manganiello, Andrew McLoughlin (Zoom).
- Staff: Andrew MacNichol (Community Development Director), Olivia Knightly (Senior Planner).
🔹 Master Signage Plan – 6–16 Chute Street
⏰ 6:01–17:21
Applicant: Giuseppe Fodera
Proposal: Master signage plan for multi-tenant building.
Key Details:
- Matte black acrylic letters, flush-mounted, ½ inch thick.
- Letter height: 14″ top row, 12″ bottom row.
- Maximum sign length: 116.75″.
- One blade sign per tenant (max 8 sq ft, 8 ft above sidewalk).
- Exterior black gooseneck lighting (dark-sky compliant).
- No internal illumination.
- Awnings without branding do not require sign permits.
✅ Outcome: Certificate of Appropriateness approved unanimously.
🔹 Continued Public Hearing: 420 Haverhill Street – Cobblestone Corner Academy
⏰ 18:13–1:09:22
Applicant: Michelle Souza
Engineer: Jack Sullivan
Proposal: Minor site plan review for new childcare facility.
Key Updates:
- Fencing added per neighbor request and around rain garden.
- Fire department confirmed hammerhead turnaround and ambulance access are satisfactory.
- Emergency muster point established with multiple egress options.
- Traffic engineer hired; sight distances confirmed.
- Parking reduced from 13 to 12 spaces; ADA walkway added.
- Stormwater system revised to handle 10-, 25-, and 100-year events.
- Landscaping and screening discussed; additional plantings proposed.
- Public comments supportive but raised concerns about traffic, parking, and neighborhood fit.
✅ Outcome: Minor site plan and stormwater permit approved with conditions:
- Final drainage and driveway updates to be reviewed by town engineer.
- Stormwater O&M plan required prior to occupancy.
- EEC-approved safety plan to be shared with public safety departments.
- Executed agreements for emergency access to adjacent properties requested.
- Annual parking management plan to be distributed to parents.
- Landscaping and rain garden to be maintained in perpetuity.
- Snow removal must preserve sight lines.
🔹 Continued Public Hearing: 885 Main Street – Primrose School
⏰ 1:11:13–1:14:08
✅ Outcome: Continued to September 8 at applicant’s request.
🔹 Continued Public Hearing: 346–348 Main Street – Park Realty Trust
⏰ 1:14:22–1:15:14
✅ Outcome: Continued to September 8 at applicant’s request.
🔹 Definitive Subdivision: Zero Herald Avenue
⏰ 1:15:25–1:16:37
✅ Outcome: Application withdrawn without prejudice at applicant’s request.
🔹 ADU Bylaw Discussion
⏰ 1:16:47–1:40:02
Topics:
- Review of state guidelines and local compliance.
- Discussion on site plan review exemptions for single-, two-, and three-family homes.
- Fire safety and building code implications for ADUs.
- Potential future zoning amendments and administrative review processes.
- Consideration of short-term rentals in ADUs and residential zones.
Board Consensus:
- No immediate action required; continue monitoring trends.
- Future discussion and potential survey of ADU applicants suggested.
🔹 Meeting Minutes Approval
⏰ 1:46:08–1:48:30
✅ May 12, 2025 Minutes: Approved as amended.
✅ June 9, 2025 Minutes: Approved.
🔹 Adjournment
⏰ 1:48:30
✅ Meeting adjourned unanimously.
🔹 Key Outcomes Summary
- ✅ Master signage plan for 6–16 Chute Street approved.
- ✅ Cobblestone Corner childcare facility approved with conditions.
- ✅ Primrose School hearing continued to September 8.
- ✅ 346–348 Main Street hearing continued to September 8.
- ✅ Zero Herald Avenue subdivision withdrawn without prejudice.
- ✅ ADU bylaw discussion continued; no immediate changes.
- ✅ Meeting minutes for May 12 and June 9 approved.
- ✅ Meeting adjourned.
