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
- 🔹 Sign Permit – 672 Main Street (Charlesgate Realty)
- 🔹 Continued Public Hearing – Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL)
- 🔹 Continued Public Hearing – 346–348 Main Street (Park Realty Trust)
- 🔹 Continued Public Hearing – 885 Main Street (Primrose School)
- 🔹 Key Outcomes Summary
🗓️ CPDC Meeting Summary – September 8, 2025
📍 Location: Select Board Room, Reading Town Hall & Zoom
🎙️ Chair: Heather Clish
🧭 Facilitators: Andrew MacNichol (Community Development Director) & Olivia Knightly (Senior Planner)
🔹 Meeting Opening & Attendance
⏰ 5:54–6:48
- Hybrid meeting protocols reviewed.
- Present: Hillary Mateev, Tom Armstrong, Heather Clish (Chair), Guy Manganiello (Zoom), John Arena (Zoom), Andrew McLoughlin (Zoom).
- Staff: Andrew MacNichol (Community Development Director), Olivia Knightly (Senior Planner).
🔹 Sign Permit – 672 Main Street (Charlesgate Realty)
⏰ 6:48–14:03
Applicant: Kevin Childs, Madison Design Group
Proposal: Replace existing ReMax sign with Charlesgate Realty signage.
Details:
- PVC sign, approx. 9 sq ft, mounted with galvanized brackets.
- Window decal compliant with 30% coverage rule.
- No lighting proposed due to tree coverage.
- No public comment received.
✅ Outcome: Certificate of Appropriateness approved unanimously.
🔹 Continued Public Hearing – Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL)
⏰ 7:15–1:12:01
Applicant: Town of Reading
Location: 0 Haverhill Street
Design Team: BH+A, Activitas, Brennan Consulting
Presentation: Jenna Wood (Community Services Director), town staff, architects
Key Topics:
- Operations & Programming:
- 100 weekly programs, mostly small groups.
- Larger events (e.g., holiday luncheons, dances) expected to draw ~60 attendees.
- Hours: Weekdays 8 AM–8 PM, Sat 9–5, Sun 9–1.
- Parking & Shared Use:
- 89 on-site spaces proposed.
- Shared parking with Burbank Arena discussed; no formal agreement yet.
- Total complex parking (including Burbank): ~420 spaces.
- ADA space added near pickleball courts.
- Pickleball & Field Use:
- 6 courts proposed (7th optional).
- Peak use: 28–56 players.
- Scheduling via PlayLocal app and membership program.
- Seasonal field use coordinated with sports leagues.
- Community Concerns:
- Parking adequacy during peak events.
- Need for formal shared parking agreement.
- ADA access and overflow management.
- Coordination with Burbank Arena and town departments.
✅ Outcome: Hearing continued to October 6, 2025.
- CPDC requests:
- Draft shared parking agreement or MOA with Burbank Arena.
- Clarification of ADA access and signage.
- Confirmation of striping and organization of back lot parking.
🔹 Continued Public Hearing – 346–348 Main Street (Park Realty Trust)
⏰ 1:12:08–1:40:05
Applicant: James Jolly (Trustee), Attorney Brian McGrael
Proposal: Mixed-use building with 12 residential units and 2,100 sq ft commercial space.
Key Details:
- 20 on-site parking spaces (waiver for 2 spaces).
- 2 affordable units (80% AMI).
- Curb cut on Main Street removed; Park Ave access retained.
- Loading zone designated on private frontage.
- All fire and police concerns resolved.
✅ Outcome:
- Public hearing closed.
- Waivers approved (parking, loading, aisle width, commercial space ratio).
- Site plan and special permit approved unanimously.
🔹 Continued Public Hearing – 885 Main Street (Primrose School)
⏰ 1:40:27–4:18:19
Applicant: Primrose School Franchising Corp.
Proposal: New childcare facility for 175 children and 28 staff.
Key Topics:
- Traffic & Parking:
- 53 spaces proposed; meets zoning requirements.
- Concerns about queuing on Main Street.
- Parking management plan submitted; staggered drop-off/pick-up planned.
- SU-30 truck turning radius confirmed.
- Safety & Evacuation:
- Fire department confirmed adequacy of evacuation area.
- Concerns raised about single egress from playground.
- Applicant agreed to explore second emergency exit with fire department.
- Stormwater & Landscaping:
- Conservation Commission approved stormwater permit.
- Snow removal plan included.
- Screening and tree health concerns raised by abutters; applicant agreed to review and enhance.
- Public Comments:
- Extensive input from residents citing traffic, safety, site size, and evacuation concerns.
- Requests for additional conditions and independent traffic review.
- Emotional testimony regarding past accidents and neighborhood impact.
✅ Outcome:
- Public hearing closed.
- Decision discussion continued to October 6, 2025.
- CPDC to review:
- Final draft decision with updated conditions.
- Fire department feedback on second egress.
- Police department feedback on traffic management.
🔹 Key Outcomes Summary
- ✅ Sign permit for 672 Main Street approved.
- ✅ ReCAL hearing continued; CPDC requests parking agreement and ADA access clarification.
- ✅ 346–348 Main Street mixed-use project approved with waivers.
- ✅ Primrose School hearing closed; decision discussion continued to October 6.
- ✅ CPDC to finalize conditions addressing traffic, safety, and evacuation concerns.
