Planning Board minutes 03-04-1996

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MARCH 4, 1996 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Estabrook Hall, was called to order at 7.45 p.m. by Chairman Davison, with members Canale, Davies, Grant, Planning Director Bowyer, Assistant Planner Marino and Secretary Tap present. Mr Merrill was absent. Steven Colman, a candidate for the Planning Board, was present. ************************ ARTICLES FOR 1996 TOWN MEETING ************************ 51 PUBLIC HEARING: Article 31 RS to RD Pelham Road (Youville Place): Mrs. Davison opened the public hearing at 7 46 p.m. Sister June Ketterer, Provincial Superior of the Grey Nuns religious order, speaking for the proposal, gave a brief history of the Grey Nuns, who have occupied the site since the Provincial Headquarters building at 10 Pelham Road was built. The order plans to convert the existing building into an assisted living facility with 90 units to house aging nuns and lay people. Twenty-three affordable units, scattered among the other units, will be included to fulfill the conditions of the Planning Board's Inclusionary Housing Policy They will also provide a turnaround for delivery and other vehicles in the rear of the building, as well as a van service, to conform with the Planning Board's Alternate Transportation Policy The Grey Nuns are committed to preserving the beauty of the site, including the front lawn facing Massachusetts Avenue. Structural changes will occur within the present footprint of the building. Modifications will be made along the front of the building to soften and enhance the appearance of the brick structure. They plan to share the facility and programs held there with the Lexington Senior Center The chapel will be available to people of various faiths. Questions from the Planning Board included. a. Has the applicant addressed the problem of traffic turning from Pelham Road onto Massachusetts Avenue? Michael Abend, the traffic engineer working with the applicant, said a white line painted on Massachusetts Avenue will direct traffic toward the middle of the lane, affording drivers a better line of sight as they approach Pelham Road from the northwest. b. What will the tenant selection process be? Susan McDonough, Covenant Health Systems, answered that the process will meet state guidelines. They have also talked with the Lexington Housing Authority about including qualified Lexington residents. Other questions had to do with the size and affordability of the units, and whether the items in Appendix E of the application are part of the Preliminary Site Development and Use Plan. Barbara Lucas, Transportation Coordinator for the Town of Lexington, gave a brief description of the Planning Board's new Alternate Transportation Policy She described her experience working with the Grey Nuns on this rezoning proposal as a positive one. Jere Frick, 1010 Waltham Street, speaking for the Conservation Commission, asked for assurances that the front lawn will be preserved untouched in perpetuity Mr Bowyer answered that only a two-thirds vote of Town Meeting could change the 500 foot setback included in the Preliminary Site Development and Use Plan. Clark Cowan, president of the Council on Aging, asked what kind of activities would be shared with the COA. Sister June Ketterer answered that picnics and prayer services are possibilities. Day Care clients at Youville Place would come from Lexington and surrounding communities. Richard Sullivan, the Assistant Fire Chief, asked to sit down with the developers to iron out details of the fire safety plan. One resident of the neighborhood, who has small children, expressed concern about increased traffic and was assured that it would be minimal. With the new turnaround provided at the rear of the building, traffic will be safer and quieter because vehicles will not be backing up. A number of other neighbors spoke in favor of the