2004-04-14-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF APRIL 14, 2004 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room 227 of the Clarke Middle School, was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Chairman Harden with members Davies, Galaitsis, Kastorf and Manz and planning staff McCall - Taylor present. MINUTES ****** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Review of Minutes The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meetings of March 3 and March 4, 2004. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes as amended. * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** SUBDIVISION OF LAND 31 and 35 Cary Avenue Sketch Plan — Todd Cataldo of Sheldon Corporation was present with Michael Dryden and Dylan James of Meridian Associates, Inc. to present a sketch plan for the tract consisting of 31 and 35 Cary Avenue. Mr. Dryden described the project as follows. There are three existing lots that total 1.9 acres with a wetland in the northern corner. Mr. Cataldo proposes to build a cluster of five new dwellings on a 200' roadway terminating in a hammerhead. Four of the dwellings will front on the new road and one will front on Cary Avenue. The open space will be provided in the northern comer and in a 25' band along the southern side. The site is relatively level so usable open space is not a problem. A proof plan shows four lots if done as a conventional subdivision. None of the maximum impact measures will be exceeded. Two of the dwellings will include accessory apartments in walkout basements so there will be a total of 7 dwelling units. The living area will average 3,800 square feet for each main unit. As the apartments will be in the basements their square footage is not a factor. Mr. Galaitsis questioned the proof plan showing the right of way on the wetland and indicated that the proposal was not a cluster in his eyes as it just utilized open space that was left over after units were placed. Mr. Davies suggested narrower, deeper lots to allow massing of the open space. He said that he preferred a hammerhead to a circular turnaround. Mr. Harden commented that a 25' setback was required and Mr. Dryden responded that the units would be set back an additional 25' for a total of 50'. Mr. Galaitsis said they really needed to take another look at the open space — they should mass the open space first and then put in the rest. He felt that this was a very small site and that too many units were packed in. He said that the Planning Board Cluster Guidelines stated that at least half of the units should be attached. Mr. Dryden observed that 2.5 units an acre was not that dense. Mr. Harden asked if there would be a homeowners association responsible for maintenance and drainage. Mr. Dryden said there would be a homeowners association but that dry wells would likely handle the run off for each house. The Board asked about the accessory apartments. Mr. Cataldo said there was a 16' grade change over the lot so it would allow walkout units to be placed in the basements. He indicated that he would be willing to agree to put restrictions on the apartments so that if they were rented they would be within the affordable guidelines. Mr. Davies felt that they would most likely be used by family members and not really rented. Ms. Jamie Rauscher of 47 Cary Avenue brought up a list of concerns that included open space, noting that there was only 26.2% open space, which was below what the Planning Board had proposed in Article 6. She pointed out that the Taintor Report said that on average clusters had 44% open space. She was also concerned about density, traffic impact and water drainage onto other property. She said that there is a large maple tree on the site that should be preserved. She urged the Board to remember that there are other cluster subdivision in the neighborhood.