Planning Board minutes 02-12-1996

Browse Search

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF FEBRUARY 12, 1996 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7.40 p.m.by Chairman Davison,with members Canale,Davies,Grant,Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Marino present. Mr. Merrill was absent. ************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* SUBDIVISION OF LAND 36. Bull Meadow Hill. Preliminary Subdivision Plan. William Hamilton. Public Informational Meeting: William Hamilton and Steve Hamilton, of Lincoln Park Realty Trust, the applicant, Richard Waitt, engineer,of Meridian Engineering Collaborative,Gary Larson,landscape architect,of Larson Associates and Frederick DeAngelis, attorney, were present. Many neighbors of the site were also there. Mr. Larson presented plans for a four-lot conventional subdivision off Flintlock Road, on 3.74 acres of land with frontage on Burlington Street. There is an existing house on the site as well as access to the Willards Woods conservation area. The new street, 307 feet long, would come off Flintlock Road with a maximum pitch of less than 8%. Mr. Larson described the grading that would be done and the general layout of the houses. Members of the Board expressed concerned that the plan shows little sensitivity to the natural features of the land. They asked why the applicant did not show what a cluster treatment would look like. The applicant answered that working in the 25% open space requirement produced a very contorted layout that he felt would not be attractive to potential buyers. Another question was why one side of the site is more heavily landscaped than the other. Continued access to Willards Woods was another concern. The Board wants to walk the site as soon as possible. Mr. Waitt, the engineer, said that they will stake the site when weather permits. Mrs. Davison made a plea for minimum clearing of vegetation as it will change the neighbor's views dramatically and the site is so near conservation land. She asked the applicant to consult with Brian Gilbert, Town Tree Warden. Comments from the audience included concerns about loss of privacy, uncertainty about the final design of the new houses,the possibility of increased water runoff onto adjacent lots,the design of the new road, increased traffic and a walking easement to Willard's Woods. 37 160-170 Wood Street Sketch Subdivision Plan. James Gaklis. Decision: The Board reviewed and revised a draft decision, dated February 12, 1996, prepared by the staff. On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Grant, the Board voted unanimously, 4-0, to approve the wording of the decision, as amended. DETERMINATION OF GRADE AND CONSTRUCTION OF UNACCEPTED STREETS 38. Oakmount Circle Preliminary Street Improvement Plan.Richard Curtin.Direction to Staff: Richard Curtin, the applicant, was present. The Board discussed the preliminary street improvement plan presented to them by Mr. Curtin on February 5, 1996. Mr. Bowyer said that in preliminary oral comments, the Engineering Division said they would like to see more sanitary sewer capacity installed in the easement. He pointed out that once the trench is dug, the cost to increase the size of the pipe is L- negligible. He said the staff is waiting for the Engineering Division's written report on the plan.