2004-07-07-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JULY 7, 2004 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Kastorf with members Davies, Galaitsis, Manz and planning staff Garber, McCall - Taylor, and Tap present. Mr. Harden was absent due to a vacation. MINUTES ******* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Review of Minutes The Board reviewed the minutes for the meetings of March 10 and June 16, 2004. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes as written. The Board reviewed the minutes of the executive session of December 17, 2003. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes as written. * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** 31 and 35 Cary Avenue, Third Sketch. Cluster Subdivision Plan, Todd Cataldo (Sheldon Con2orgbpn) Mr. Todd Cataldo, the applicant, and Mr. Michael Dryden, senior project engineer, were present. There were eight people in the audience. Mr. Dryden summarized the existing condition of the land and described how the current plan responds to the Planning Board's comments on two earlier sketch plans. Specimen Tree: The layout now provides a 75 -foot clearing around the specimen tree. Streetscape: The front yard setback for the two homes fronting Cary Avenue will match that of existing homes in the neighborhood. Locus Map: A map at 1" = 100' scale is supplied with this submission, showing the size and position of many surrounding homes on their lots. Roadway: The road shown is 300 feet long with a hammerhead turnaround that can accommodate all vehicles. Open Space: Twenty -five percent of the lot is shown as open space and the proposed homes are not near the wetland buffer zone. - Drainage: Only three new homes will be built and stormwater runoff will be fully mitigated. The Board reacted favorably to the space left around the specimen tree and to the accessibility of the open space. But a majority of the Board believes the scale of the development is still too overwhelming in size — for the property itself and for the surrounding neighborhood. They want to see a development that responds to the spirit of the Zoning Bylaw's cluster provisions by providing alternate housing size and types, for which the density bonus is offered. Mr. Davies indicated that the development seems to him to be a good one for this site. Audience Questions and Comments: The people from the Cary Avenue/Middle Street area near the development site expressed their strong feelings about the dumping the applicant is doing on the site. Large stones and dirt have been brought in over the last several months, creating a disturbing eyesore that has negatively impacted their quality of life. They fear more of the same during construction of the subdivision. They also expressed their concern about water problems with which some residents already contend. Mr. Mel Scott reiterated his complaint about the Town's responsibility for some of the water problems. The Board urged him to talk with the Building Commissioner about the matter. Mr. Garber explained the developer's obligations relative to storm water management, which are spelled out in the State Stormwater Management Regulations Mr. Davies observed that the real anger the neighbors feel about the dumping is not in the applicant's interest and asked why he is doing it. Mr. Dryden noted that Mr. Cataldo needs a final grading plan so he