2005-05-11-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MAY 11, 2005 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman Harden with members Manz, Galaitsis, Hornig, Canale and planning staff McCall-Taylor and Tap present. Planner Eve Tapper arrived at 7:20 p.m. ************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* PUBLIC HEARING, 31 Fletcher Avenue, Conversion of Jefferson Union Building to Residential Condominiums: Mr. Harden called the public hearing on the conversion of the Jefferson Union Building at 31 Fletcher Avenue to residential condominiums to order at 6:10 p.m. He explained that the applicant is seeking a Special Permit with Site Plan review from the Planning Board, as it is a residential development with three or more dwelling units. Jefferson Union has been a manufacturing concern for over 100 years. The Board of Appeals approved the proposed substitution of a less non-conforming use in the RO zoning district. The applicant is acquiring a 8,791.5 square foot parcel adjacent to the rear of 31 Fletcher Avenue. Representing the development team were: Mr. John Farrington and Ms. Karen Jennings, attorneys; Mr. Steve Sawyer, engineer, of Oak Engineering; Mr. Peter Quinn, architect; Mr. Sean Papich, landscape architect; Mr. David Friend, traffic engineer, and George Meadows, owner. There were 17 people in the audience. Mr. Farrington gave a brief outline of the building's history and the owner's current proposal. Most of the building will be renovated and thirteen residential condos created. The Historical Commission reviewed the proposal and expressed its pleasure that the building is being restored and at the proposed character of the structure. Traffic impacts would be negligible and studies of the site revealed no environmental hazards. Having reviewed the drainage plan, the Conservation Commission suggested some changes. The development team proposes keeping some parking spaces in reserve, and not constructing them unless needed. A smaller existing structure on the site would become a single-family dwelling. Mr. Sawyer reviewed the site plan, which shows a loop drive with a clockwise circulation pattern ending at a stop sign at Fletcher Avenue. Patterned bituminous surfaces delineate pedestrian ways. Along the front of the site a proposed stacked block retaining wall would be softened by new plantings. Mr. Sawyer commented that the drainage system would actually reduce runoff from the site. He will file a notice of intent with the Conservation Commission at the appropriate time. The project will connect to the existing town eight-inch water service. He indicated that the Town’s Engineering Division agreed with his assessment that the triple gate suggested by independent engineer Laurence Hayes would not be needed. Mr. Papich presented the proposed landscaping plan, which shows retention and augmentation of the wooded character of the property with plants that would provide seasonal color and interest. The lighting plan is designed to prevent spillover light. Rail lights at the walkway steps and low lighting at the south edge would provide attractive and subtle illumination. There would be wood fences along the east, north and south edges of the property Mr. Quinn described the arrangement of the building space into four areas that would allow each unit to have a small outdoor space and a separate entry. They would have sidewalk connection. Other features would include dormers, shed roofs and metal and wood railings. Nine two-bedroom and four three- bedroom dwellings would range in size from 1,400 to 2,600 square feet. Existing asphalt siding on the building would be replaced. Mr. Friend presented the results of his traffic study and analysis. Cars exiting the site have adequate sight distances on Fletcher Avenue. The expected 115 trips/day generated by the Jefferson Union development would be less than that of the 1970s factory use. The study indicates that no operating issues or queuing would occur.