2004-05-19-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF MAY 19, 2004 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Vice Chair Kastorf, with members Davies, Galaitsis, Manz and planning staff Garber, McCall - Taylor, and Tap present. Mr. Harden arrived at 7:35 p.m. MINUTES Review of Minutes The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meetings of February 4 and 25, 2004. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes as amended. Mrs. Manz abstained. The Board reviewed the minutes for the meetings of May 3 and 5, 2004. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes as written. Mr. Galaitsis abstained. * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMIlUSTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** SUBDIVISION OF LAND 31 and 35 Cary-Avenue, „Second Sketch Plan Review Mr. Michael Dryden, senior project manager, Meridian Engineering, presented a second sketch plan showing seven dwelling units on 1.9 acres of land at 31 and 35 Cary Avenue. Mr. Todd Cataldo, Sheldon Corporation, the applicant, and about a dozen abutters were also present. He pointed out changes made in response to Board suggestions and requests: more massing of the open space; the dwellings shown are ten percent smaller than in the previous plan; 25 percent of the lot is wooded and that will remain the same; the road was curved in such a way as to avoid injuring a large specimen tree the Board wants to preserve. Board Questions and Comments: Mr. Davies expressed his concern that excavation for the two nearest new homes will damage the specimen tree and the fill being dumped there will do the same. Mr. Cataldo said that he does not um lan to d more fill at this time. p p Mr. Harden asked that the character of the existing streetscape be maintained by moving the two units closest to the street back to about the same setback the other homes on Cary Avenue. The Board requested a plan showing the surrounding neighborhood at the next presentation. Mr. Galaitsis indicated that he could not support the plan currently. It is too massive a development and the tree would be doomed to die. The Board urged Mr. Cataldo to propose fewer dwellings and suggested that the specimen tree could be a focus of the development. Asked about providing attached units, Mr. Cataldo indicated his belief that they don't really fit into this neighborhood. After some discussion, Board members agreed that accessory apartments are problematic in terms of being "affordable housing" but they do offer an alternate housing type that is needed in Lexington, often by a relative of the owner of the dwelling. Mr. Cataldo asked if the Board thinks five units are too many and, if so, he would build a conventional subdivision with four large units and a cul de sac instead of a cluster. The Board acknowledged that a conventional subdivision would probably have even more impervious surface than a cluster with five units. However, Mr. Galaitsis expressed skepticism that in a conventional subdivision there could be more than three units due to the wetlands. Mr. Harden indicated that the current plan represents some progress and that with fewer dwellings and more imagination in scaling, preservation of features and the character of the streetscape, it could in time be acceptable.