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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF APRIL 25, 2007
A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was held in Estabrook Hall at Cary Hall, and called to
order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman Manz with members Hornig, Canale, Zurlo and planning staff McCall-
Taylor, Henry and Kaufman present. Mr. Galaitsis arrived at 6:15 p.m.
************************* ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT*****************
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
Pine Meadow Farm- Tree Relocations: Ms. McCall-Taylor had received a phone call from Mr. Gelormini
requesting permission to place street trees, now shown in the right of way, on the other side of the
sidewalk on private property. The Board said they would allow it as a minor revision of the special permit
provided the applicant submits a formal request for this minor change and agrees to give the tree warden
jurisdiction over the trees so the trees will be given the same protection as street trees.
Mr. Galaitsis joined the meeting.
147 Shade Street- Preliminary Decision: The engineering report has now been received. The Board had
been prepared to approve the preliminary plan contingent upon the report but that report had unexpectedly
raised issues. The issues are that the proposed sewer design is unacceptable, the water connections for
existing dwellings are not shown, calculations are needed to show the proposed water service is able to
support needs of the dwellings and fire suppression systems, and access easements for water and sewer
system maintenance are needed.
Mr. Fred Russell said these changes are minor in nature and requested the approval of the preliminary
plan, saying that the changes would be included in the definitive plan. Mr. Hornig said that approving
preliminary plans without the corrections could be misinterpreted to mean that the plans are fine as
presented, and run the risk of not being corrected at all. Ms. McCall-Taylor said there have been similar
problems in the past, and not approving the preliminary plans until the corrections are made will help to
prevent future mistakes. Mr. Canale made a motion to disapprove preliminary plans due to sewer
inadequacies, or to require revised plans be submitted for review. Ms. Manz suggested the plans be
revised showing the corrections. Mr. Zurlo said the Board could approve the resubmission once it
addresses engineering’s comments. Mr. Canale agreed and withdrew his motion. The applicant was
asked to return with corrected plans
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Minutes for the Meeting of April 25, 2007
PUBLIC HEARING
Walnut Street, Lexington Hills, Continued Public Hearing Conventional Subdivision Definitive Plans:
6:15 p.m. Ms. Manz opened the continued public hearing on Lexington Hills. In attendance representing
the development team were Mr. Gary Larson, landscape architect, Mr. Ed Grant, attorney, Mr. Frederick
Russell, civil engineer, and Mr. Habib Aminipour, property owner.
Since the last meeting the Board had received the Engineering Department’s review and a letter from Mr.
Allen Altman. The engineering report stated that the infiltration systems are adequate, drainage
calculations appear sound, and the sanitary pumping station details are satisfactory. The drainage piping
in the right-of- way must be reinforced concrete pipe, not ABS as shown, and the curb around the center
island of the cul-de-sac should (subject to the Planning Board approval) be a granite curb flush with the
edge of pavement to facilitate snow removal and emergency access.
Mr. Larson discussed the cart path issue, stating that he tried to find it through aerial pictures, library
research and a site walk with Roger Wrubel and Keith Ohmart, supporters of the Western Greenway. The
area was overgrown and he was unable to distinguish an actual path. The previously proposed pedestrian
easement was not the best location since it is pedestrian unfriendly with riprap and steep slopes. However,
should the Board wish a second access point to the adjacent Lot 1, he felt a better place to incorporate the
path would be between lots 18 and 19. The 20-foot right of way would split, with one path going to the
west towards Lot 1, and the other north towards the area of the cart path. If the cart path is located and
restored, it would connect them easily. The easement would be extended both north and west and no
longer be located on a separate parcel. For this reason parcel B has been eliminated. Granite markers
would identify the locations of the path easements and the association would be responsible for
maintenance of the pathway system.
The proposed walkway to Concord Avenue would go along the Walnut frontage of the property to its
northeast corner and at that point a crosswalk on Walnut Street, approximately 350 feet from Potter Pond,
would be constructed. A path, 8 to 10 feet off the road on state-owned property, would then continue
along Walnut Street towards Concord Avenue. The directors of Potter Pond agreed to allow the
construction of a path from the property line to their drive off Walnut Street where people could than
utilize the sidewalks through their facility to Concord Avenue. Dan Driscoll from the Department of
Conservation and Recreation and Marianne Greenough from the Department of Mental Health indicated
they would consider allowing the use of the state-owned land for a pedestrian easement, but would have
Minutes for the Meeting of April 25, 2007 Page 3
to look further into the matter.
Mr. Larson suggested Wellington Farm Estates as a proposed project name and Crest Hill Road and
Stearns Road as street names. He indicated that in response to Board comments the gas lines were moved
away from the street tree plantings and easements are shown for the looping of the water line and the
walkway along Walnut Street on private property. Mr. Russell indicated that it is not feasible to place the
utility lines that run along the Walnut Street frontage underground.
Board Comments:
Mr. Canale said that he reread the zoning bylaw, which says the Board has the responsibility for enforcing
safe walking passage and this new plan does provide that. Mr. Canale was pleased that Mr. Larson did
library research on the cart path. He wanted to ensure that both the recreational value of Lot 1, the historic
value of the Oxbow colonial cart path were addressed and asked if these issues have been addressed with
the Historical Commission. Mr. Larson said that proposed pedestrian easement shows the west branch
connecting to an existing path, and the north branch allowing connection to the cart path if it is found.
Mr. Hornig said that with a development of this size he wanted a second access to the adjacent open
space. He also said that the cart path does exist; he walked it on Sunday. The conditions that need to be
addressed are the sidewalk easement the length of Walnut Street, two accesses to open space -- one
between lots 18 and 19, and the other running north and south between lots 4 & 5 for pedestrians should
there be a restoration of the cart path. Mr. Larson said the location between lots 4 and 5 is not pedestrian
friendly with the steep elevation changes and it would be very close to the houses. He felt a better location
would be between lots 5 and 6, but it is closer to Walnut Street. Mr. Canale and Mr. Hornig both found
that acceptable. Mr. Hornig said the text of the easement for the waterline says for the benefit of the lot
owner, but it should be for the benefit of the Town. He was looking for the operation and maintenance
plan for drainage. Mr. Russell said that he had provided it with the submission. Mr. Hornig asked about
the covenant for the operation and maintenance plan for the individual lots, and Mr. Grant said the unit
deeds are to be subject to it. Mr. Hornig said individual lots would also need individual agreements. The
landscaping covenants for the individual lots will also be required. The street names are already being
used and new names will need to be submitted. Other issues that remain for him are concerns about sight
distance, the spacing of trees still appears irregular, one hydrant is missing and they need to add one, the
plans should show the removal of all overhead wires except on Walnut Street, the limit of work line
should be inside the stonewall on Parcel A so as to protect it during construction, and sidewalks need to
be ramped and handicapped accessible. Engineering concerns need to be addressed about the drainage
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Minutes for the Meeting of April 25, 2007
pipes that must be reinforced with concrete and the center island curbing. Mr. Hornig confirmed that the
pumping station is sized for only two units on the Waltham portion of the lot parcel and should therefore
be limited to two units. Construction management should allow no trucks over the portion of Walnut
Street that is under construction. Since Walnut Street is so narrow, construction trucks should only travel
is one direction; that direction can be determined at a later time. There should also be no construction
parking on Walnut Street.
Mr. Zurlo asked if a builder was selected yet and, if not, to consider one that utilizes green practices and
further noted the U.S. Green Building Council now has a pilot program for residential construction. He
urged them to consider accessory apartments to have diversified types of housing. Mr. Galaitsis wanted to
know how many hydrants there were. Mr. Larson said two existing, with six total on site. Mr. Galaitsis
also reinforced the request for another access path between lots 5 & 6 to cart path.
Audience Comments:
Mr. Alan Altman, owner of Unit 25 at Potter Pond, expressed concerns with the issue of how narrow
Walnut Street was and said if an SUV and truck met up, there is nowhere to go. Since Walnut Street is a
collector street according to the rules and regulations, there should be a 60-foot right of way with 32-foot
paved width. He said it was time to bring the road up to date and make it safe for public use. Trees may
have to be removed, but they can be replaced.
Mr. Steve Heinrich stated that Mr. Altman is speaking as an individual and does not reflect the opinion of
the Potter Pond Board.
Mr. Canale said through truck traffic is prohibited on Walnut Street. With a public safety issue they could
make it a one-way street. Ms. Manz said she agreed to some extent, but was concerned that regulation of
truck traffic was not within the purview of the Board. She felt more discussion of the issues was needed
and suggested the public hearing be continued, as they needed to adjourn to attend the Town Meeting. On
a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to continue the public hearing to May 1, 2007 at 7:00
p.m. in Estabrook Hall.
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Gregory Zurlo, Clerk