Planning Board Minutes, 1999-03-17

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MARCH 17, 1999 r-- The The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Estabrook Hearing Room Cary Memorial Hall, was called to order at 7. 35 p.m. by Chairman Merrill with members Colman, Davies, Galaitsis, Bridge-Denzak, Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Garber present. Mr. Garber left the meeting due to illness following all prescheduled agenda items. *************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT ************************** 60. Recent Activity 87 Hancock Street.Preliminary 7 4.5 Subdivision Plan.Rollout: Mr.Garber rolled out a preliminary plan for the 87 Hancock Street 7 4.5 development proposal that was submitted by Gerard Moloney on March 9, 1999 The staff has not yet reviewed the plan in detail. The time for action on this plan expires on April 14, 1999 ************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************** SUBDIVISION OF LAND 61 Rowland Avenue.Preliminary Subdivision Plan.Barbara Palant: Public Information Meeting: Mr Merrill opened the information meeting at 7.45 p.m.There were 12 people in the audience. Mr. Garber clarified why the applicant submitted a subdivision plan, even though only one house will be built, and addressed the fears of some of the abutters that more houses may be built on other lots on Rowland Avenue. Richard Perry,Woodhaven Realty,applicant, introduced the design team: Gary Larson,Larson Associates, landscape architect,Richard Waitt, Meridian Engineering,Inc., engineer, and Daniel and Barbara Palant, • owners of the property Mr Larson presented a plan showing the extension of Rowland Avenue,with a turnaround, at the end of the existing roadway,that will provide frontage for the one proposed dwelling. Abutters questions and comments had to do with whether or not the Palants lot was assessed as an unbuildable lot over the years, safety concerns about increased traffic on Rowland Avenue,the height of the new dwelling and how many trees would have to be removed.Mr.Merrill commented that the turnaround could have been bigger resulting in the removal of many more trees.In response to a question about the Town's involvement in the development proposal,Mr. Garber explained certain basics of the Subdivision Control Law 62. 41 Lincoln Street. Sketch 7 4.5 Subdivision Plan.Ronald Lopez: Presentation by the Applicant: Present for this item were Ronald Lopez,North Shore Construction,applicant,and Daniel Harrington,his attorney Mr.Harrington showed a plan for a three-lot conventional subdivision for land at 41 Lincoln Street that Mr. Lopez had brought in at the end of the day on Friday,March 12, after the agenda and Board member packets had been prepared and too late to receive staff review The staff had reviewed and the Board had been provided only with a first plan for a 7 4.5 development that was submitted on January 29, 1999 The Board's questions and comments had to do with tree retention on the site,the amount of cut and fill planned and the visual impact of the house.Mr. Davies said that the planned cut and fill is excessive because the house is not designed for the site.He said the house is supposed to be designed to fit the site and not the other way around as in this proposal. Mr. Merrill stated that the site needs a particularly sensitive design and advised Mr. Lopez not to skip the preliminary design stage prior to submitting a definitive plan. The existing house on the site is included in Volume 8 of the Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey of Lexington. Mr.Bowyer reported that a previous conventional plan for this site, 10 or so years ago,was