Reading CPDC Not Sold On Proposed Main Street Development

READING, MA — A proposed mixed-use development at the corner of Washington and Main Streets was received coolly at Monday's Community Planning & Development Commission meeting.

The plan from applicant GC Fodera, LLC calls for a four-story, 12-condominium development, with commercial space on the first floor, at 459 Main Street. The site is currently an auto repair shop.

The building would be 21,861 square feet, with 16,208 square feet of living space and 1,671 square feet of retail space, project architect Jeffrey Olinger said. Olinger elaborated that it would consist of four one-bedroom units, seven two-bedroom units and one three-bedroom unit, with a balcony or terrace in each condo.

Olinger described the proposal as an "ideal transit-oriented development" that "conforms with downtown smart growth design guidelines."

"Our building adopts two complementary Victorian-era styles...we think speak to both the civic character of the building, as well as helps it tie in with the masonry of the [Rise475] building," Olinger said.

The development would have 19 parking spots, 17 for residents and two for the retailer. Drivers would enter the garage on Washington Street and exit on Main Street.

The parking plan was among the chief concerns of CPDC members.

"There's just no way it's going to work," member Nicholas Safina said. "Traffic will just stack up into the intersection for sure, as someone going east tries to make that left turn."

"Coming in on Washington Street, that will back right up into the intersection," member John Weston echoed.

Weston was also unconvinced a business could be successful at the site, given the low number of parking spaces and the safety challenges of nearby street parking. He urged developers to come up with a different plan to prevent a "dead storefront" in the retail space.

"What you have here, I just don't think works," Weston said.

Member Heather Clish was concerned about the configuration of the business. While the proposal has enough space for a retailer, she described the shape as "oddball."

"It may be really difficult to figure out, how does a shop or how does a food service place fit in there?" she said.

The CPDC voted to continue the public hearing on the 40R mixed-use application for the proposal to March 14 at 7:30 p.m.