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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-07-31-PB-min PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JULY 31, 2013 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Charles Hornig with members, Richard Canale , Greg Zurlo, and Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti, and planning staff Maryann McCall-Taylor, Aaron Henry, and Lori Kaufman present. Michelle Ciccolo was absent. ************************DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION********************* 28-34 Robinson Road, preliminary plan balanced housing development (BHD): Mr. Hornig opened the public information meeting with John Farrington, Attorney, Ron Lopez, Applicant, Gary Larson, Landscape Architect, Doug Ray, Jack Sullivan, Project Engineer, and Michael Bahtiarian and Allan Beaudry of Noise Control Engineering, Inc., present. Mr. Farrington said impact studies were done on drainage, location, open space and a noise study was added. The applicant notified the surrounding neighborhoods of a July 24, 2013, meeting which had a very low turnout. The proposal showed six buildings with two units each. The gross floor area would be 2,235 to 2,900 square feet with footprints of 850 to 1,140 square feet. These units will provide diversity and would offer more affordable options in Lexington for new construction. Mr. Larson presented a proof plan showing five lots on a wooded site. The entrance to the proposed development was determined by the sight distance in each direction. The maximum gross floor area would be 36,000 square feet, the impervious surface maximum would be 32,735 square feet, and 33% open space. There would be twelve dwelling units in six buildings. Evergreens would be placed on the easterly edge of the drive and play area to reduce the noise and a substantial number of trees would be retained. There were 636 trees with calipers of six inches or larger with 329 to be removed and 115 would be eight inches or less. There would be 40 trees replanted. The applicant met with John Fleck regarding the emergency access and gave the templates to the fire department to review. There will still be discussions regarding snow plowing and parking. Robinson Road was scheduled for reconstruction and working with the Engineering Department to coordinate the projects together. Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of July 31, 2013 Michael Bahtiarian and Allan Beaudry explained that the noise change from the tree removal would not be enough to cause concern. The biggest change would be on the site itself. Board Comments and Questions:  Was there a number for total caliper for tree removal? Mr. Larson said it was on the site analysis plan, but not in the table and was not sure of the number at this time.  The distance between buildings six and seven seem close would it be less then 25 feet? This should be defined in the next plan. The planned minimum distance would be 20 feet between each building.  There should not be a solid wall of structures when traveling up the driveway tweak buildings five and six for better views. What do you know about the abutter’s views in to the development? The only view that may be impacted would be a house on Royal Circle and trees could be added there.  Most of the runoff goes onto the street how would that be addressed? Some dry wells could be added behind some of the houses.  Has there been any consideration made regarding the stretch code for energy efficiency? Mr. Lopez said it was not considered at this stage, but was open to it for the definitive plan.  What kind of low impact design techniques would be used for drainage? Mr. Sullivan said there would be a swale effect to deflect water to the roadway and wanted to retain natural features so a rain garden would not work on the island because of the grading.  At the next level provide an accounting of the 329 trees for mitigation and what would be retained.  With the noise modeling how were the trees factored in? Was the large grade change in front of the property included? Allan Beaudry said there would be a minor noise increase due to tree reduction and the addition of hard surfaces, but the change in elevation would reduce the amount of noise.  What about the noise impact on the houses within the development? Would there be any mitigation planned for that? The home architect would have to address that.  How would the open space be accessed? That would be looked at for the definitive stage.  Would the maximum height shown for the houses be less then the maximum allowed at the definitive plan? Mr. Larson said yes.  Parking on the road would be a concern. Mr. Larson would continue to work with the Fire Department and Planning Staff on that issue along with snow removal. Minutes for the Meeting of July 31, 2013 Page 3  There was no need to use up the entire square footage allowed and the small units were preferred with the hope that the price range would be lower.  The large amount of open space proposed was good, but do not count the paved surfaces. A footpath between buildings three and four would provide good access to the open space.  There would be more noise and tree removal with a conventional plan and should be addressed at the definitive stage.  Would these be two story houses? There was concern with the elevation the proposed houses could look like three to four story homes. Mr. Lopez said they would be two story homes fitted into the grade the pre and post elevations would be very similar. Audience Comments:  The last meeting there was concern that the 12 units maybe too high especially with another development coming on Robinson Road. The thought was that the number of units would be decreased to five buildings and ten units. Mr. Farrington said the applicant stuck with 12 units because the site design worked. The traffic impact would be marginal for the extra two units and this proposal would allow for smaller sized units and would keep the prices lower. Board Comments:  The preference was to go forward with a definitive plan.  There were some unaddressed issues so perhaps a mid term might be advisable.  One to one replacement for any tree over a six inch caliper would be desired. Mr. Farrington said the plan worked with the 25 foot set back on tree replacement and if a footpath was required it may mean more tree removal. More guidance with this would be needed and the applicant would work with staff and the tree warden on this matter. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to recommend moving on to the definitive plan for 4-6 Robinson Road. ***********************************MINUTES********************************** On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to approve the minutes for June 19, 2013, as submitted. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to release to the public the executive minutes of 5/18/05, 9/6/06, 10/18/06, 11/1/06, 4/18/07, 11/4/09, 2/17/10, and 5/25/11. Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of July 31, 2013 *******************************ORGANIZATION******************************** Work Plan: The Board agreed that the following items would be part of the work plan for the next three months:  The Lexington Housing Production Plan.  Overhaul the Development Regulations working with Mark Bobrowski.  Get started on street standards.  Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers with a public forum to be held in September. The Meeting on August 14 will be the definitive plan for 137 & 139 Shade Street. The August 28 meeting will be to discuss the complete draft of the development regulations that will be revised by Mark Bobrowski after the meeting with staff on August 19. The public forum on the Medical Marijuana Treatment Center and a discussion of the development regulations will be held on September 11. The Housing Production Plan Draft will be discussed on September 25. Mr. Hornig suggested Board Members send to staff what their priorities were from the list provided for the upcoming work plans. ********************************BOARD REPORTS****************************** Mr. Zurlo said the Sustainable Committee should be invited in the next few months to discuss their draft plan and schedule it through staff. Mr. Zurlo attended the Center Committee Meeting, which discussed the zoning in regards to controlling intensity of one particular use in the center such as banking. Mr. Canale attended the Health Department meeting today to discuss a grant proposal that was being written by the Town and due on August 31. The needs identified were as follows: mental health, nutritional needs, and transportation safety. If the Board wants input on the grant there is a meeting scheduled for Monday at 10:00 a.m. and should try to attend the meeting regarding the transportation piece. Implementation would begin in November for one year. Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti said the tree committee sent a notice that the tree in front of Cary Hall will be removed tomorrow because of a four inch crack that makes it dangerous. Minutes for the Meeting of July 31, 2013 Page 5 Mr. Zurlo gave an update the 2020 town wide survey on the background data. The 2020 Committee will be meeting with the Board of Selectmen (BOS) in the fall. The executive summary will be published and within a few weeks and forwarded to the BOS, Planning Board, and School Committee. Mr. Canale said at the BOS meeting on Monday there was a discussion on the MOU for the Battle Road Scenic Byway to establish a permanent management plan, which the BOS agreed to in principle. There will be a meeting in late August on the MOU, which will be forwarded to Planning Board Members for input and comments. ********************************STAFF REPORTS******************************* The Town Report is being done on a fiscal year and the picture of the Board will be taken on September 11, 2013 at the parklet at 7:15 p.m. before the Board Meeting. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0, to adjourn at 9:44 p.m. The meeting was recorded by Lexmedia. The following documents used at the meeting can be found on file with the Planning Department: 1. Memorandum from John Livsey for 4-6 Robinson Road, dated July 26, 2013 (1 page). 2. Memorandum from John Fleck for 4-6 Robinson Road, dated July 19, 2013 (1 page). 3. Memorandum from Noise Control Engineering, Inc for 4-6 Robinson Road, dated July 11, 2013 (9 pages). 4. Memorandum from staff for 4-6 Robinson Road, dated July 26, 2013 (2 pages). 5. Preliminary Subdivision Plan Set for 4-6 Robinson Road dated July 9, 2013 (10 pages). 6. Memorandum from staff on FY 2014 work plan, dated July 26, 2013 (2 pages). 7. Letter from abutters of the 4-6 Robinson Road subdivision, dated July 30, 2013 (1 page). Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti, Clerk