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.
Contents
🗓️ CPDC Meeting Summary – August 25, 2025
📍 Location: Select Board Room, Reading Town Hall & Zoom
🎙️ Chair: Heather Clish
🔹 Meeting Opening & Attendance
⏰ 8:46–9:04
- Hybrid meeting protocols reviewed.
- Present: Heather Clish, Hillary Mateev, Tom Armstrong, John Arena, Andrew McLoughlin, Guy Manganiello (remote).
- Staff: Andrew MacNichol (Community Development Director), Olivia Knightly (Senior Planner).
🔹 Public Hearing: Site Plan & Stormwater Permit – Killam Elementary School
⏰ 9:04–1:54:13
Applicant: Town of Reading
Design Team: Lavallee Brensinger Architects, Samiotes Consultants, GPI, Terra Inc., others
Project Overview:
- New 3-story, 123,000 sq ft school building at 333 Charles Street.
- MSBA-funded: $44M from MSBA, $86M from Town.
- Includes new parking, playgrounds, synthetic turf field, nature-based play area, stormwater infrastructure, and ADA improvements.
Key Topics:
- Traffic & Parking:
- 151 on-site spaces (125 central + 26 perimeter).
- 206 required by zoning; waiver granted for 55 spaces.
- Temporary parking agreement with St. Athanasius Church for 70 staff during transition phase.
- Off-site improvements proposed for Charles Street (striping, sidewalk widening, one-side parking).
- Traffic study supports safe circulation and reduced queuing.
- Stormwater:
- Designed for 60% phosphorus and 90% TSS removal.
- Multiple infiltration systems and catch basins.
- Maintenance plan required.
- Safety & Accessibility:
- Crash-rated fencing along Haverhill Street.
- ADA-compliant access throughout site.
- Evacuation plans to be coordinated with public safety.
- Lighting:
- Dark-sky compliant fixtures.
- No field lighting proposed.
✅ Outcome:
- Site plan and stormwater permit approved.
- Four waivers granted:
- Environmental impact statement
- Parking (55-space reduction)
- Building height (55 ft vs. 35 ft allowed)
- Chain-link fence in side yard setback
- Conditions include coordination with police, stormwater maintenance, and off-site improvement design delivery.
🔹 Public Hearing: Site Plan, Stormwater Permit & Subdivision – Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL)
⏰ 2:00:20–3:28:49
Applicant: Town of Reading
Location: 0 Haverhill Street
Design Team: Activitas, BH+A, Brennan Consulting
Project Overview:
- New 2-story community recreation building (ReCAL) with 89-space parking lot.
- Includes outdoor pickleball courts, fitness trail, boardwalk spurs, landscaping, lighting, and ADA access.
- Subdivision layout to create public right-of-way (Range Road) for site frontage.
Key Topics:
- Parking:
- 151 spaces proposed; 5-space waiver requested.
- Shared parking agreement with Burbank Arena in progress.
- ADA access to pickleball courts from gravel lot behind Burbank to be formalized.
- Snow storage to be removed off-site within 72 hours.
- Traffic & Access:
- Fire access and hydrant locations approved.
- Traffic study supports safe operations; peak use estimated at 200 people.
- Subdivision layout for Range Road to be adopted as public way.
- Building Design:
- All-electric, solar-ready, highly insulated.
- Materials: fiber cement siding, asphalt roof with metal edge, concrete block base.
- Gym includes portable bleachers; not designed for tournaments.
- Lighting & Use:
- LED lighting for courts; lights off at 10 PM.
- ReCAL to host daytime and evening programs for all ages.
- Pickleball membership program under development.
Community Concerns:
- Parking adequacy and overflow impacts on St. Athanasius and neighborhood.
- ADA access to pickleball courts.
- Need for finalized shared parking agreement with Burbank Arena.
- Transparency in funding and bid processes.
✅ Outcome:
- Hearing continued to September 8, 2025.
- CPDC requests:
- Draft shared parking agreement with Burbank Arena.
- Clarification of ADA access to pickleball courts.
- Confirmation of signage and lighting plans.
- Final subdivision layout and solar implementation details.
🔹 Key Outcomes Summary
- ✅ Killam Elementary School site plan and stormwater permit approved with four waivers and multiple conditions.
- ✅ ReCAL hearing continued to September 8 pending parking agreement and ADA access clarification.
- ✅ Subdivision layout for Range Road under review; no vote taken.
- ✅ CPDC emphasized need for transparency, operational clarity, and parking adequacy for both projects.
