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April 27, 2006 Minutes 8
<br /> The Board finds that the Site was created via a subdivision of the entire Metropolitan State
<br /> Hospital site, as shown on those certain plans entitled: (i) "Town of Lexington - Definitive
<br /> Subdivision Plans for Metropolitan Parkway, Metropolitan State Hospital, Lexington, Waltham
<br /> & Belmont, MA ", dated May 16, 2002, last revised October 1, 2002, and recorded with the
<br /> Registry as Plan No. 108 of 2003, (ii) "City of Waltham - Definitive Subdivision Plans for
<br /> Metropolitan Parkway, Metropolitan State Hospital, Waltham, Lexington & Belmont, MA ",
<br /> dated May 16, 2002, last revised October 1, 2002, and recorded with the Registry as Plan No.
<br /> 107 of 2003, and (iii) "Town of Belmont - Definitive Subdivision Plans for Metropolitan
<br /> Parkway, Metropolitan State Hospital, Belmont, Waltham & Lexington, MA ", dated May 16,
<br /> 2002, last revised October 1, 2002, and recorded with the Registry as Plan No. 106 of 2003
<br /> (collectively, the "Subdivision Plan "). The Subdivision Plan was drafted in accordance with the
<br /> terms of that certain Metropolitan State Hospital Re -Use Plan dated June 30, 1994, as amended
<br /> by that certain First Amendment to Metropolitan State Hospital Re -Use Plan dated September 5,
<br /> 1995, and as further amended by that certain Second Amendment to Metropolitan State Hospital
<br /> Re -Use Plan dated May 22, 2002 (collectively, the "Reuse Plan "), adopted by the Tri-
<br /> Community Task Force for the Metropolitan State Hospital. As outlined in the Reuse Plan,
<br /> nearly ninety percent (90 %) of the entire acreage of the Metropolitan State Hospital site will be
<br /> preserved as open space, including 254 acres of open space which have already been transferred
<br /> to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation ( "DCR')
<br /> for preservation as a DCR Reservation.
<br /> In keeping with the goal of the Reuse Plan to maximize the preservation of open space at the
<br /> three hundred forty (340) acre Metropolitan State Hospital site, the Subdivision Plan restricted
<br /> the developable portion thereof to the 22.51 -acre Site. The Board finds that the Site is restricted
<br /> to a relatively small area, and is surrounded by ample open space which will be preserved as
<br /> such in perpetuity. The permanent open space surrounding the Site satisfies the aesthetic and
<br /> open space concerns that motivated the provisions of the By -Law affected by the Variance.
<br /> The Board finds that, in keeping with the terms of the Reuse Plan, the Applicant seeks to
<br /> preserve up to thirty -eight percent (38 %) of the existing improvements at the Site, including
<br /> significant portions of the "CTG Building" on the northerly portion of the Site. Preservation of
<br /> significant portions of the CTG Building is central to respecting the historic character of the Site.
<br /> The Board also finds that the Subdivision Plan drew the lot lines of the Site in such a way as to
<br /> leave relatively little room between the CTG Building and the lot line of the Site; in fact, the
<br /> existing driveway along the northerly side of the CTG Building is less than eight (8) feet from
<br /> the lot line of the Site. In order to provide adequate parking for the CTG Building in connection
<br /> with its conversion to residential use, it is necessary to allow for parking areas and driveways to
<br /> be located between the CTG Building and the lot line of the Site. Given the location of the lot
<br /> line of the Site as set forth in the Subdivision Plan, such parking areas and driveways must be
<br /> located within the setback areas required by the By -Law. The area affected by the requested
<br /> relief involves only approximately 4,550 square feet of the 22.51 -acre Site, but affects
<br /> approximately ninety -one (91) parking spaces related to the Project as approved by the
<br /> Lexington Town Meeting.
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