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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 02-12-1996 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF FEBRUARY 12, 1996 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7.40 p.m.by Chairman Davison,with members Canale,Davies,Grant,Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Marino present. Mr. Merrill was absent. ************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* SUBDIVISION OF LAND 36. Bull Meadow Hill. Preliminary Subdivision Plan. William Hamilton. Public Informational Meeting: William Hamilton and Steve Hamilton, of Lincoln Park Realty Trust, the applicant, Richard Waitt, engineer,of Meridian Engineering Collaborative,Gary Larson,landscape architect,of Larson Associates and Frederick DeAngelis, attorney, were present. Many neighbors of the site were also there. Mr. Larson presented plans for a four-lot conventional subdivision off Flintlock Road, on 3.74 acres of land with frontage on Burlington Street. There is an existing house on the site as well as access to the Willards Woods conservation area. The new street, 307 feet long, would come off Flintlock Road with a maximum pitch of less than 8%. Mr. Larson described the grading that would be done and the general layout of the houses. Members of the Board expressed concerned that the plan shows little sensitivity to the natural features of the land. They asked why the applicant did not show what a cluster treatment would look like. The applicant answered that working in the 25% open space requirement produced a very contorted layout that he felt would not be attractive to potential buyers. Another question was why one side of the site is more heavily landscaped than the other. Continued access to Willards Woods was another concern. The Board wants to walk the site as soon as possible. Mr. Waitt, the engineer, said that they will stake the site when weather permits. Mrs. Davison made a plea for minimum clearing of vegetation as it will change the neighbor's views dramatically and the site is so near conservation land. She asked the applicant to consult with Brian Gilbert, Town Tree Warden. Comments from the audience included concerns about loss of privacy, uncertainty about the final design of the new houses,the possibility of increased water runoff onto adjacent lots,the design of the new road, increased traffic and a walking easement to Willard's Woods. 37 160-170 Wood Street Sketch Subdivision Plan. James Gaklis. Decision: The Board reviewed and revised a draft decision, dated February 12, 1996, prepared by the staff. On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Grant, the Board voted unanimously, 4-0, to approve the wording of the decision, as amended. DETERMINATION OF GRADE AND CONSTRUCTION OF UNACCEPTED STREETS 38. Oakmount Circle Preliminary Street Improvement Plan.Richard Curtin.Direction to Staff: Richard Curtin, the applicant, was present. The Board discussed the preliminary street improvement plan presented to them by Mr. Curtin on February 5, 1996. Mr. Bowyer said that in preliminary oral comments, the Engineering Division said they would like to see more sanitary sewer capacity installed in the easement. He pointed out that once the trench is dug, the cost to increase the size of the pipe is L- negligible. He said the staff is waiting for the Engineering Division's written report on the plan. 2 Minutes for the Meeting of February 12, 1996 The Board and the applicant discussed the effect on drainage runoff of the two alternatives submitted. A gravel road appears to have the advantage of carrying storm water runoff back into the pond. However runoff may carry pollutants into the pond. The alternative, a paved roadway,with a drainage system will • carry storm water away but is more intrusive in that it requires construction of underground pipes. Mrs. Davison expressed concern about the width of the road and loss of trees. Harriet Bearing, Oakmount Circle, a member of Granny Pond Realty Trust, was present and expressed concern about road construction near the pond. Mr. Bowyer said that over the last 10 or so years, as builders have come to the Planning Department expressing interest in building on Oakmount Circle, he and Mr. Marino have told then that the Town needs data from geo-technical experts about the possible consequences of doing roadwork on Oakmount Circle. There is a possibility that the pond bowl would crack and the water would drain out. Mr. Davies said that no one should make the mistake of assuming that the Board will impose standard regulations automatically Rather, the Board regards this as a unique design problem. He pointed out to the applicant that the topographical map he submitted may be inaccurate. What is actually a hill appears on the map to be a hole. *************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT ************************** 39 Recent Activity a. Mr. Bowyer reported that there is talk of possible development of the Greeley land off Massachusetts Avenue. He said that this may be land that lends itself to use of the revised Section 9, Residential Development in Subdivisions of the Zoning By-Law ************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* BOARD OF APPEALS 40. Planning Board Response to the Berezin's Letter Regarding Wilson Farm's New Store: The Board reviewed and revised a draft response, prepared by the staff, to a letter of complaint from Robert and Nancy Berezin, who live across the street from Wilson Farm. The Berezins claim that the new building under construction at Wilson Farm is a violation of the Zoning By-Law Mrs. Davison said State regulations governing farm stands are very generous. Mr. Marino added that a liberal exemption for agricultural uses was granted recently by the Legislature. The Board agreed that the building permit for the new structure at Wilson Farm was issued after study by the Building Commissioner. The Board suggested that the East Lexington Neighborhood Association address the neighbors' concerns. On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Davies, the Board voted unanimously, 4-0, to approve the wording of the letter, as amended. ************************ ARTICLES FOR 1996 TOWN MEETING ************************ 41. Article 29 Revision of Section 9. The Board continued its review and editing of a draft of the comprehensive revision of Section 9 of the Zoning By-Law, dated January 19, 1996. Minutes for the Meeting of February 12, 1996 3 ********************r***********r***** REPORTS *************************************** 42. Planning Board. Subcommittees HATS, Mr. Canale reported on the ongoing communications between the HATS towns and Massport regarding Massport's Request for Proposal for private development at Hanscom Field. The four towns' selectmen have informed Massport they want to be part of that process and asked for a delay of the RFP Mr. Canale has drafted a letter stating that the Lexington Planning Board supports the selectmen's request for a 6-month delay in which ways to work productively together can be devised. With regard to the current update of the Scope of the General Environmental Impact Report. Mr. Canale also reported that he volunteered to be chairman of a policy/technical review of the GEIR. He will write a charge of his role which will include pulling together public comments on these issues to make recommendations back to HATS. Cambridge Watershed Advisory Committee: Mr. Canale also reported that the new Post Office facility on Spring Street is incurring more wetland violation fines. The retention basins are full of silt because the paving is not in at the site. He also indicated that there is a difference of opinion about how the fine money should be used. Educational outreach and training for spill control are two options. The meeting was adjourned at 10:48 p.m. i 7 Frederick L. Merrill, Jr., • erk L