1955-02-17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MEETIIJG Thursday, February 17, 1955 Present: Adams, Grindle, Hathaway, Irwin, Jaquith, Ripley, PUALIC HEARING - SEABURY A public hearing was held Thursday, February 17, 1955 at 8:00.o'clock in Estabrook Hall on petition of Frida Semler Seabury and others to amend the Lexington Zoning By-law by changing a certain area from an R-1 District to an A-1 District, land between Marrett Rd., Route 128, and Massachusetts Avenue. Approximately 120 citizens were present. Mr. John Groden, Attorney, 12 Summit Road, Lexington represented the pe- titioner. slides were shown of preliminary sketches which Mr. Eduard Full.er- jahn, Architect, explained. These showed the proposed site of the hotel, which would contain 24 double bedrooms and restaurant; parking space; and plan for a park surrounding the historical Haywood pump. Mr. John Harvey, 1 Constitution road, asked what would become of the re- mainder of the property. Mr. Groden stated that there were no immediate plans for the remainder of the territory, that the wooded area would remain as it is wherever possible. Maxfield Parrish Jr., 7 Paul Revere rd. asked if it were true that there would be some 30 acres rezoned to A-1 and no plans for it. The answer was that the primary purpose is for a hotel and they want nothing to interfere with the beauty or use of the land around it. Elmer Frey, 6 Holton ' rd, asked if there would be a sewer connection, and if not whatifthere were difficulty* with septic tanks. P"r. Groden stated that there was not a sewer available at present but that they had had tests made and found that septic tanks would be feasible. The land in itself is a watershed. Since the By-law calls for connection with a sewer in A-1 districts, Mr. Adams explained that he thought it might be possible to vary this if there were territorial diffi- culties and the situation could be satisfactorily taken care of. Mr. Coqui7lette, 235 Waltham st., asked how many acres there are at present zoned for A-1 and was answered about 8 acres. Robert Johnson, 60 Wood st, stated that he couldn't believe there would be 38 acres on which they would pay taxes and not do anything with. He also stated that the citizens in that area want to keep it a residential zone and he didn't think they should have to go down every once in a while and fight to keep it so; that there should be a more°valid reason for changing this zone. Felix Cutler, 4 Carley rd. stated that once an area is broken down it is very easy to change it to some other form. Mr. Adams reminded him that changes in zoning could only be done through the legal channels which means a 2/3 vote at a town meeting after a public hearing. Kenneth Pau, 55 Wood st. asked if these were to be sleeping quarters or living quarters. lair. Groden replied that it was planned as a country hotel or inn with bedrooms with bath and restroom facilities but no,cooking facilities. They plan for transients. Mr. Rau asked if having a place to house so many ' people would not defeat the purpose of the change in zoning which called for larger lot areas and was answered that it was not proposed to house Lexington residents and so would not increase the number of citizens or school -children.