HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 02-05-1996 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 5, 1996
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building,was called to
order at T44 p.m. by Chairman Davison,with members Canale, Davies, Merrill, and Assistant Planner
Marino present. Mr. Grant arrived during Item 29 Mr. Merrill was absent. Planning Director Bowyer,
who was attending the Board of Selectmen's meeting, joined the meeting during Item 28.
**************************************** MINUTES **************************************
27 Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed the minutes for the meeting of December 4, 1995. On the
motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Davies, it was voted unanimously 3-0 to approve the minutes,
as written.
The Board reviewed the minutes for the meeting of December 11, 1995. On the motion of Mr. Davies,
seconded by Mr. Canale, it was voted unanimously 3-0 to approve the minutes, as written.
The Board reviewed the minutes for the meeting of January 11, 1996. On the motion of Mrs. Davison,
seconded by Mr. Davies, it was voted unanimously 3-0 to approve the minutes, as written.
*************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT **************************
28. Recent Activity
a. Bull Meadow Hill, Preliminary Subdivision Plan, William Hamilton, Rollout: Mr. Marino rolled
out a preliminary plan for the Bull Meadow Hill development, off Flintlock Road, that was submitted
by William Hamilton on January 23, 1996. The staff has not reviewed the plan in detail yet. The time
for action on this plan expires on February 27, 1996.
b. Fox Run Lane. Revised Landscape Plan. Robert Phelan. Rollout: Mr. Bowyer rolled out a revised
landscape plan for the Fox Run Lane development,off East Street, that was submitted by Robert Phelan
on January 30, 1996. The staff has not reviewed the plan in detail yet.
c. Citizen Rezoning Proposals: Mr. Marino gave a brief outline of two rezoning proposals that will be
submitted to the 1996 Town Meeting: the Grey Nuns property at 10 Pelham Road and a parcel on
Waltham Street that is part of the Star Market shopping plaza land. Mr. Canale asked if the Waltham
Street proposal addresses any of the larger issues of parking and traffic in that plaza.
d. LEXHAB Ad Hoc Review Committee: Mr. Bowyer reported that the LEXHAB Ad Hoc Review
Committee, appointed by the Board of Selectmen in response to the reaction of the Grandview Avenue
neighborhood to LEXHAB's proposal for subsidized housing there, gave its report at the Selectmen's
meeting in progress this evening.The committee was charged with reviewing the adequacy of notice and
the towns affordable housing goals. Its report advised a revised notification procedure identical to that
of the Planning Board and Board of Appeals.
d. Minuteman Science-Technology High School: Mr. Bowyer reported that he received a call from the
Lincoln Planning Board about Minuteman Science-Technology High School's rumored plans for a mini-
mall at the school.
e. Long Range Planning Committee: Mr. Bowyer also reported that Paul Hamburger, chairman of the
Selectmen's Long Range Planning Committee, asked him to inform the Planning Board that the Long
Range Planning Committee is concerned about "tear downs" (existing housing torn down and replaced
by large new houses).
2 Minutes for the Meeting of February 5, 1996
f. Currier Court: Mr. Marino reported on a complaint from an abutter of the Currier Court
Subdivision, off Webb Street, about water runoff from the new subdivision pooling on her property He
has spoken to the Engineering Department about the problem. The developer, John Sarkis,has said he
will investigate the problem and try to solve it.
g. Wilson Farm's New Building: Mrs. Davison reported that she received an announcement from
Wilson Farm about a proposed new barn/retail center. A discussion about agricultural uses and the
Zoning By-Law ensued.
h. Planning Department Receives APA Award: The Planning Board voted unanimously to commend
the Planning Department staff on its receipt of the Massachusetts APA Chapter's 1995 Outstanding
Planning Award for Comprehensive Planning.The award was received for the department's publication,
Socio-Economic Characteristics of Lexington, Massachusetts, Volume I. Population.
************************ ARTICLES FOR 1996 TOWN MEETING ************************
29. Article C. Frontage Reduction. Lots in a Small Subdivision: Mrs. Davison asked the Board to
consider rescinding its vote to withdraw Article C, an amendment to Section 7 4.5 of the Zoning By-Law,
from the 1996 Town Meeting Warrant. After some discussion, on the motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by
Mr. Davies, the Board voted 3-1, Mr. Canale opposed, to rescind its January vote to withdraw Article
C.
The Board reviewed a draft of proposed changes to the wording of the amendment. Mr. Canale moved
that the second item on the draft be deleted. There was no second to his motion. On the motion of Mr.
Grant, seconded by Mr. Davies, the Board voted 3-1, Mr. Canale opposed, to approve the draft, dated
January 31, 1996. The Town Warrant description of the article will change accordingly.
30. Article 29 Comprehensive Revision of Section 9• Mr. Bowyer asked the Board to review drafts of
descriptions of Article 29 which will appear in the Town Warrant. They included a short description that
will be located in numerical order among the other articles and a longer summary that will be printed
in the back of the Warrant booklet. On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Grant, the Board
voted unanimously, 4-0, to approve the draft, as amended.
************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
UNACCEPTED STREET
31. Oakmount Circle.Street Improvement Plan.Richard Curtin.Presentation by Applicant:Present for
this item were Richard Curtin, the applicant;Frederick Conroy, attorney;Malcolm McDowell, engineer;
Cliff Prentiss, landscape architect; and Harley Anderson, owner of the property A number of abutters
were also present.
Mr. McDowell presented two street improvements plans for a section of Oakmount Circle that will
provide frontage for land owned by Mr. Anderson, on which he would like to build a single-family house.
One shows a fully complying buildout of Oakmount Circle from the public portion of the road to just past
the lot where there will be a transition to the existing gravel.A landscaped shoulder is shown along with
a significant amount of disturbance to existing vegetation and other natural features in the right of way
The alternative plan is for a 16 foot wide gravel road, not necessarily in the centerline of the layout, that
Minutes for the Meeting of February 5, 1996 3
will follow the existing gravel road. It would not require removal of any trees or grading of land. Utilities
can be brought in from an easement from Oakland and Meriam Street.
The Board had numerous questions about the hydrology of the project which were answered by Mr.
Noonan and Mr. Prentiss.
The neighbors asked many questions about the plans, and expressed concern about the applicant's
requests for waivers.
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
32. 915-917 Mass. Avenue. Philip Saunders. Jr. Decision on Sketch Plan: The Board reviewed and
altered a draft decision on a sketch plan for the development of land at 915-917 Massachusetts Avenue.
On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr. Canale, the Board voted unanimously, 4-0, to approve
the decision, as amended.
33. 160/170 Wood Street. Sketch Plan. James Gaklis. Direction to Staff:The Board discussed the plans
presented by the development team for land at 160/170 Wood Street at the meeting of January 16. It
found the concept unimaginative and agreed that if Article 29, the comprehensive revision of the cluster
subdivision regulations, is passed by Town Meeting, it could be used to greatly enhance a development
on this piece of property by allowing building types other than single-family dwellings.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
34. Applications To Be Heard on February 8. 1996: Mr. Davies gave an oral review of the following
applications:
34 Grant Street. Catherine England, special permit for an accessory apartment
The Planning Board recommends that the Board of Appeals caution the applicant of the lot's
potential status as a non-conforming, "grandfathered", lot.
The Board had no comment on the following applications, also scheduled to be heard on February 8.
19 Hiehland Avenue.Rita and Francis McGovern,special permit to replace a nonconforming garage
40 Hartwell Avenue. Nextel Communications, special permit for a sign
40 Hartwell Avenue. Nextel Communications, special permit for a 157' antenna
************************************** REPORTS ***************************************
Plannine Board. Subcommittees
35. Annual Town Report: The Board reviewed the final draft of its Annual Report. On the motion of
Mrs. Davison, seconded by Mr. Canale, the Board voted unanimously to approve the wording of the
report.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:02 p.m.
t.
Frederick L. Merrill, Jr., erk