Planning Board minutes 07-24-1996

Browse Search

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JULY 24, 1996 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7.38 p.m. by Chairman Davison, with members Canale, Colman, Davies, Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Marino present. Mr Merrill was absent. *************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT ************************** 143 Recent Activity a. 627 Massachusetts Avenue. Definitive Subdivision Plan. Carter Scott. Rollout: Mr Marino rolled out a defmitive subdivision plan for the 627 Massachusetts Avenue development that was submitted by Carter Scott on July 15, 1996. The staff has not reviewed the plan in detail yet. The time for action on this plan expires on November 27, 1996. ************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* SUBDIVISION OF LAND 144 Denver Street. Definitive Subdivision Plan. Robert Phelan, PUBLIC HEARTNG: Mrs. Davison opened the hearing at 7 48 p.m. Present for this public hearing were Robert Phelan, applicant, Paul Phelan, owner of the property, Gary Larson, landscape architect of Larson Associates, Richard Waitt of Meridian Engineering, and a number of interested neighbors and persons, including Joyce Miller, chairman of the Lexington Conservation Commission. Mr Waitt presented a compliance plan for land adjacent to 10 Denver Street and 15 Bellflower Street showing Denver Street as a through street from Cedar Street to Bellflower Street. He described the long history of this development proposal, which began in 1992. He then presented an alternative plan for a one-lot subdivision that shows a stub dead end road on a low bridge over the wetland area. He described the type of bridge that is proposed to be built and the drainage system. Mrs. Miller explained that the bridge will obviate the need to replicate damaged wetlands. The Board asked a number of questions having to do with the proposed stub dead end street, utilities, the applicant's plan for protecting existing vegetation, and the impact on the neighborhood. Janice Bryan, 48 Allen Street, asked why the Planning Board grants waivers of their Development Regulations rather than disapproving the application. Other members of the audience asked questions about the frontage requirement, the configuration of the road, and stated their thoughts about the proposed development. Most of them were concerned that it would unfavorably alter their neighborhood. 145 Revision to Policy on Subsection 7 4.5 The Board reviewed and revised a draft document entitled Procedure to Implement Section 7 4.5, Frontage Reduction in Small Subdivisions On the motion of Mr Canale, seconded by Mrs. Davison, the Board voted unanimously, 4-0, to approve the wording of the policy, as amended. 146. 22 Revere Street. Whitney Realty Trust. Sketch Subdivision Plan. Presentation: Present for this item were Gary Larson, landscape architect, of Larson Associates, and Daniel Whitney, applicant and owner of the land. Mr Larson presented a sketch plan for a subdivision under Section 7 4.5, Lots in a Small Subdivision. The owner proposes to maintain the existing home at 22 Revere Street and construct one dwelling on the rear lot and offer a public benefit instead of building a standard subdivision street. Mr Whitney proposes to donate 26,000 square feet of land to the Town for conservation land as the required public benefit. This land will provide a buffer for the bikepath which passes close by the Whitney property