2003-07-23-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JULY 23, 2003 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Harden with members Chase, Davies, Galaitsis, Kastorf and planning staff Garber, McCall - Taylor, and Tap present. ****** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** MINUTES Review of Minutes The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of July 9, 2003. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes as amended. * * * * * * * * * * ** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS * * * * * * * * * * * ** SUBDIVISION OF LAND Olde Smith Farm Cluster Subdivision Amended Plan, Stabile Companies Having approved the minor amendment to the Olde Smith Farm Cluster Subdivision at the conclusion of the public hearing on May 14, 2003, and having received the Town Cleric's certification that no appeals were filed within the 20 -day appeal period, the Board endorsed the amended subdivision plans. Rangeway Road Extension Definitive Subdivision Plan, Mr. James Public Hearing Mr. Harden opened the public hearing at 7:45 p.m. Present for this item were Mr. James Raymond, applicant; Mr. Fred Russell, designing engineer; and Mrs. Doris Duff, owner of the property. There were 10 people in the audience. Mr. Russell presented a definitive plan showing an extension of Rangeway Road to provide frontage for a 20,483 square foot lot and the construction of one single - family house with a two -car garage and an 18- foot pavement width with a turnaround that extends outside of the existing right -of -way. The garage did not appear on the preliminary plan. Waivers of the development regulations are sought. Conditions of the preliminary plan approval were: applicant would offer a deed restriction limiting the gross floor area and footprint of the dwelling to the approximate area shown on the preliminary site construction plan; a turnaround sufficient for a fire truck; and, a commitment to implement improvements to the existing Rangeway Road from the applicant's lot to Skyview Road. Board Questions and Comments: Ms. McCall - Taylor, responding to Mr. Harden's question about a letter from town counsel, said that the Board has three choices in this case and cases like this: 1) do not approve any waivers; 2) approve the road without a turnaround; 3) approve the road with a turnaround on the applicant's property, which would then require a variance of lot size from the Zoning Board. of Appeals. This latter approach would also raises the question of the grandfathering of the lot as it could be argued that a new lot had been created. Mr. Russell commented that a road extension like the one he proposes on Rangeway was approved for James Street. Mr. Harden pointed out that no two cases are identical and that the Board has the authority to judge each on its merits and individual conditions. The mechanics of a deed restriction on the size of the house were discussed. Mr. Raymond said he was willing to do without the garage and to offer a deed restriction on the size of the house. Mr. Kastorf said that the addition of a 24' by 24' garage, which resulted in a substantial widening of the building, was moving in the opposite direction from what the Board had wanted. Mr. Davies recalled that on the site walk saving trees on the site seemed paramount to the participants, but the garage and a larger storm water management system shown on the definitive plan would require much tree cutting. He also questioned the steepness of a "rip- rapped" slope. Mr. Harden commented that the driveway was being raised approximately six feet.