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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-01-PB-min PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF OCTOBER 1, 2014 A regular meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, was called to order at 6:39 p.m. by Chairman Charles Hornig, with members Nancy Corcoran- Ronchetti, Richard Canale, Timothy Dunn, Ginna Johnson, and planning staff Maryann McCall- Taylor Aaron Henry and Lori Kaufman present. At 6:39 p.m., on a motion duly made and seconded, by a roll call vote of the Board – Mr. Hornig, Ms. Corcoran-Ronchetti, Mr. Canale, Mr. Dunn and Ms. Johnson – it was voted 5-0 to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing the potential litigation regarding the Lexington Hills subdivision and to return to public session. Further, the Chairman declared that an open meeting discussion may have detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Town. At 7:07 p.m. the Board returned to public session **********************DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION*********************** 83 Spring Street, Site Sensitive Sketch Plan : The applicant has requested that the Board move the sketch plan discussion to the next meeting on October 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room. 7 Colony Road, Preliminary Subdivision Plan (street construction): Present were Patricia Nelson, attorney, James and Shirine Anderson, applicants, and Mike Kosmos, engineer. The Zoning Board of Appeals granted a variance from the zoning requirements for lot frontage and now must go before the Planning Board to waive the development regulation frontage requirements through the subdivision process. This process will create the new lots and the key issue would be the adequacy of the way. Mr. Kosmos presented the plan and a list of requested waivers in connection with the road improvement plan. Board Comments and Concerns:  There would need to be assurance that no trees would be lost with the construction trucks and guarantee tree protection and replacement if trees were lost.  Cape Cod berm would cause less disturbance to the site and less tree damage so that maybe considered by the Board. Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of October 1, 2014  There was concern about a waiver for a landscape architect. Presenting a landscape plan at the definitive stage without the input of a landscape architect would be done at the applicant’s risk.  Some sort of pedestrian accommodation should be provided given the proximity to a school entrance. The type of pedestrian path to provide remained unclear at this time.  Look into a plan that would reduce the slope of the way to less than 15% at all points. If possible include a street profile of the entire street with the definitive submittal.  The applicant should look into making the street one-way to allow for parked vehicles or consider granting the Town permission to regulate parking on the road.  The width of the aprons for existing driveways that are over 20 feet would be acceptable.  The planting strip waiver could provide room for a pedestrian accommodation.  The shoulder width would depend on the overall plan regarding parking, pedestrian accommodations and street trees. Audience Comments:  There was concern about pedestrian safety for a route to the school.  Put back the no left turn sign that was removed overnight without any notice.  Who would be responsible for the cost of relocating and repairing the wall if moved?  Potholes prevent people from flying down the street; road improvements would make road safety worse.  The residents like the character of the road want to keep the trees that exist.  There should be only minimal changes to grade as the overall grade from top to bottom of the way was 12%. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to approve the preliminary subdivision plan for 17 Colony Road. The applicant can come forward with a definitive plan next time. Stormwater Regulations update: Engineering has yet to provide any updates. **********************************ZONING*********************************** Zoning Map Changes: Mr. Henry said there would be handouts for the public information session on November 19 in the cafeteria at 201 Bedford Street. Minutes for the Meeting of October 1, 2014 Page 3 Banks in the Center: The Board discussed banks in the Center and determined that decreasing the visibility of banks in the Center while increasing other business opportunities would be a better approach then the strict regulations proposed by the Center Committee. The Planning Board felt that guidance was needed from the Board of Selectmen on both the approach and priorities to address this problem. The Board decided that a letter should be written to the Board of Selectmen explaining where the Planning Board was with the bank problem given and was struggling to come up with a solution and ask the Board of Selectmen for direction on this matter. **********************ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS (ZBA)*********************** There were no comments on the upcoming permits going before the ZBA on October 10 and it was confirmed that the Comprehensive Permit for 11 Fairview Road was approved by the ZBA by a vote of 4-1. *********************************MINUTES************************************ On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to approve the minutes of September 3, 2014 as submitted. ****************************STAFF REPORTS********************************** Mr. Henry said a letter was received from a resident on Park Street and forwarded to the Board for review. If Members have any comments please send them to staff. ************************PLANNING BOARD SCHEDULE************************* The next meeting is October 15, 2014 with the following items 85 Spring Street, 28 Ward Street, a private way, a possible CD modification, and Development Regulations with Mr. Bobrowski. On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0, to adjourn at 9:36 p.m. The meeting was recorded by Lexmedia. The following documents used at the meeting can be found on file with the Planning Department:  Staff Summary and Recommendations regarding 17 Colony Road, dated 9/26/14 (2 pages). Page 4 Minutes for the Meeting of October 1, 2014  Application and cover letter from Patricia Nelson, Esq., subdivision plan of land and Board of Appeals decision regarding 17 & 19 Colony Road, dated September 15, 2014. (18 pages).  Draft revised Banking regulations (1 page).  Letter from a resident of 7 Park Street, dated October 1, 2014 (1 page). Timothy Dunn, Clerk