1983-05-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MAY 23, 1983 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Room G-15, Town Offices, was called to order at 7:42 p.m. by the Chairman, Mrs. Smith, with members Flemings, Nichols, Sorensen, Uhrig and Planning Director Bowyer present. APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS 103. 124 Spring Street, Beal Company; SPS: Mr. Bowyer reported on a telephone con- versation with Gary Larson, Landscape Architect, who reported on their analysis of using compact car spaces in the garage. If the space width is nine feet, there are 633 spaces; if the space width is 8.5 feet, there would be 668 spaces, an increase of 35; if the space width is eight feet, there would be 703 spaces, an increase of an additional 35. Beal will use a space width of 8.5 feet, meaning there are 668 spaces in the garage and 134 open air, at -grade spaces, of which 20 would be at the front entrance. That means there would be 114 open air, at -grade spaces in the garage area of which there would still be about 55 in the 100 -foot buffer strip recommended by the Planning Board. Beal still intends to have 802 parking spaces. Mrs. Smith indicated a willingness to yield from the 700 parking spaces previously recommended if the developer showed a cooperative attitude. She suggested that the Board recommend that there be no parking spaces allowed in the required building setback area, which is 100 feet from the RO district line, and no paving in the required parking setback area, which is 50 feet from the RO district line. Mrs. Flemings suggested that the Board recommend there be no more than 50 open air, at - grade spaces in the garage area. Mr. Sorensen observed that the Board seemed to be saying that the total number of spaces is less of a problem than their location. The total number of spaces affects traffic; the location of spaces affects abutting residences. He was also concerned about advocating a maximum number of parking spaces when zoning provisions generally deal with minimum numbers of spaces. Mrs. Flemings said it is consistent to limit the number of parking spaces because that might reduce traffic on the streets which is consistent with the needs of the south Lexington area. Mrs. Smith said the real question is adequacy rather than a maximum or a minimum. The developer says that 700 is adequate for day-to-day needs except for two annual conferences. It was agreed to incorporate the suggestions made by Mrs. Smith and Mrs Flemings as the Board's recommendations. The Board reviewed a draft of a supplementary report dated May 23, 1983. After dis- cussion, it was agreed the section on traffic was acceptable. Some other minor corrections were made. On the motion of Mrs. Nichols, seconded by Mrs. Uhrig, it was voted unanimously that, if six conditions outlined in the report are included, the proposal will con- stitute a suitable development, and to accept the report as amended. 104. 85 Hartwell Avenue, Boston Properties; Variances, parking dimensions: The Board reviewed a draft report dated May 23 on the petition for variances for a higher percentage of compact cars and variances from the required aisle width. In view of the problems with the parking layout, Mr. Sorensen suggested that the developer should investigate angle parking. He said that in cases where there is insufficient parking, cars are often parked on grass areas and shoulders adjacent to driveways. He urged the Board to recommend that six-inch vertical granite curbing be installed on drives to prevent parking on shoulders.