1955-02-28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MEETING Monday, February 28, 1955 Present: Adams, Grindle, Hathaway, Irvin, Jaquith, Ripley - Snow. HEARING - LEXINGTON ESTATES TRUST A public hearing was held in Estabrook Hall on Monday, February 28, 1955 at 8:00 otclock on petition of Claire S. Ryder and Anne R. -Parke, Trustees of Lexington Estates Trust, and others to change the Zoning By - Law of the Town of Lexington by amending Section 4 (g) A-1 - Garden Apart- ment and Hotel Districts to include a district situated on the easterly side of Waltham St. approximately 850 ft. on Waltham St. and covering approx- imately 14 acres. About 150 citizens were present. ' Mr. Adams read the definition of A-1 zone and uses permitted, and explained the regular procedure of a hearing. Mr. Alfred Tropeano, 25 Vine Brook Rd., and Mr. Reenstierna repre- sented the petitioners. Mr. Reensteirna is in agreement to purchase this land if change is made. A sketch of the land showing proposed buildings as well as a sketch of hotel showing style of architecture were exhibited. Mr. Tropeano explained that the tract contains 27 acres and they are seeking to rezone 14 acres only. In considering the abuttors they have re- tained a buffer area set up around the tract of 300 ft. from the nearest house on either side, also enough land in back for a buffer so that no landowner will abut an apartment zone. The Town of Lexington is consider- ing a new road to come out in back of the High School, crossing Waltham St. and to continue through this development. The plan of the street is flex- ible so that it may be located where the town desires. This will be a finished street. Land also has been allowed for straightening out Waltham St., and the land for a 70 ft. road as well as the land necessary for the straightening will be deeded to the Town of Lexington. No apartment house will face Waltham St. but will face the new road. There are planned twenty 1 -bedroom apartments, 120 2 -bedroom apartments, and twenty 3 -bedroom apartments, all with full kitchen. Architecture of apartments will be similar to that of hotel, all red brick, and will comply strictly with the Lexington building code. There will be 100% off-street parking for all apartments, which will leave.8-9 acres for landscaping. The hotel will contain rooms which may be used for club and civic affairs, and a part of the building may be used for a motel. Mr. Tropeano stated that if this is not rezoned then the Lexington Estates Trust is definitely going to sell the parcel of land. They have two or three offers from speculative builders to develop this tract. This is not the type of terrain attractive to the higher class of builders as it is swampy. However, it is not expensive to develop as there are no ledges, ' trees, etc. and the sewer is not far off. The type of house which one builder has in mind in order to cope with the wet land is a house on slabs without cellar. The Board of Health would not have jurisdiction over the houses since connection with the sewer can -be made.