HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 03-04-1996 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF MARCH 4, 1996
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Estabrook Hall, was called to order at 7.45 p.m. by
Chairman Davison, with members Canale, Davies, Grant, Planning Director Bowyer, Assistant Planner Marino
and Secretary Tap present. Mr Merrill was absent. Steven Colman, a candidate for the Planning Board, was
present.
************************ ARTICLES FOR 1996 TOWN MEETING ************************
51 PUBLIC HEARING: Article 31 RS to RD Pelham Road (Youville Place): Mrs. Davison opened the
public hearing at 7 46 p.m. Sister June Ketterer, Provincial Superior of the Grey Nuns religious order, speaking
for the proposal, gave a brief history of the Grey Nuns, who have occupied the site since the Provincial
Headquarters building at 10 Pelham Road was built. The order plans to convert the existing building into an
assisted living facility with 90 units to house aging nuns and lay people. Twenty-three affordable units, scattered
among the other units, will be included to fulfill the conditions of the Planning Board's Inclusionary Housing
Policy They will also provide a turnaround for delivery and other vehicles in the rear of the building, as well
as a van service, to conform with the Planning Board's Alternate Transportation Policy
The Grey Nuns are committed to preserving the beauty of the site, including the front lawn facing Massachusetts
Avenue. Structural changes will occur within the present footprint of the building. Modifications will be made
along the front of the building to soften and enhance the appearance of the brick structure. They plan to share
the facility and programs held there with the Lexington Senior Center The chapel will be available to people
of various faiths.
Questions from the Planning Board included.
a. Has the applicant addressed the problem of traffic turning from Pelham Road onto Massachusetts
Avenue? Michael Abend, the traffic engineer working with the applicant, said a white line painted on
Massachusetts Avenue will direct traffic toward the middle of the lane, affording drivers a better line
of sight as they approach Pelham Road from the northwest.
b. What will the tenant selection process be? Susan McDonough, Covenant Health Systems, answered
that the process will meet state guidelines. They have also talked with the Lexington Housing
Authority about including qualified Lexington residents.
Other questions had to do with the size and affordability of the units, and whether the items in Appendix E of
the application are part of the Preliminary Site Development and Use Plan.
Barbara Lucas, Transportation Coordinator for the Town of Lexington, gave a brief description of the Planning
Board's new Alternate Transportation Policy She described her experience working with the Grey Nuns on this
rezoning proposal as a positive one.
Jere Frick, 1010 Waltham Street, speaking for the Conservation Commission, asked for assurances that the front
lawn will be preserved untouched in perpetuity Mr Bowyer answered that only a two-thirds vote of Town
Meeting could change the 500 foot setback included in the Preliminary Site Development and Use Plan.
Clark Cowan, president of the Council on Aging, asked what kind of activities would be shared with the COA.
Sister June Ketterer answered that picnics and prayer services are possibilities. Day Care clients at Youville
Place would come from Lexington and surrounding communities. Richard Sullivan, the Assistant Fire Chief,
asked to sit down with the developers to iron out details of the fire safety plan.
One resident of the neighborhood, who has small children, expressed concern about increased traffic and was
assured that it would be minimal. With the new turnaround provided at the rear of the building, traffic will be
safer and quieter because vehicles will not be backing up. A number of other neighbors spoke in favor of the
2 Minutes for the Meeting of March 4, 1996
proposal.
There being no further questions, Mrs. Davison declared the hearing closed at 8.48 p.m.
52. PUBLIC HEARING: Article 33 CS to RS Marrett Road(Butler Realty): Mr Davison opened the hearing
at 8:50 p.m. Present to explain this proposal for rezoning land at 577-581 Marrett Road from CS, Service
Business to RS, One-Family Dwelling, were the applicant, Joseph Butler, Butler Realty Trust, and Cliff
Prentiss, landscape architect of The Prentiss Company Mr Prentiss said that current business on the site, Con-
Rel, Inc., is not viable and the owner, Mr. Butler, believes that four homes in a conventional subdivision,
ranging in size from 2,500 to 3,000 square feet of living area, would be best for the neighborhood. He plans
to raze the existing building.
In response to questions from the Planning Board, Mr Butler answered that the soil on the site has undergone
an environmental remediation process so that, according to state regulations, it is not contaminated. He has not
done any analysis to see what benefits, if any, his plans have for the Town. Asked if he had considered other
types of housing, Mr Butler said that a conventional subdivision is the most certain process and the one he
wants to follow
Jere Frick, representing the Conservation Commission, asked about the presence of wetlands. Naomi Cherny,
252 Lincoln Street, observed that there is wetland area and some kind of protection for it is necessary as there
is foot traffic through there now Charles Hornig, Town Meeting Member, Precinct 8, expressed concern about
the loss of this sizable CS zone, which is the only zone some 15 uses are allowed in. He asked how this site
ranks in size among the remaining CS zoning districts.
A number of other neighbors of the site were present and voiced concern that Mr Butler might not follow
through on this project since he did not follow through on his previous enterprise on the site. They pointed out
that the planting he installed died, and piles of debris have been there for several years. They asked to be kept
informed of his plans.
There being no further questions, Mrs. Davison declared the hearing closed at 9:30 p.m.
53 PUBLIC HEARING: Article 32. Zoning By-Law RO to CD Waltham Street (Gravestar Inc.) Mrs.
Davison opened the hearing at 9:31 p.m. John Civilinski, director of real estate for Gravestar, Inc., the
applicant, David Berarducci, landscape architect of Berarducci and Rutledge, David Spillane, of Goody, Clancy
Associates, architects, presented this proposal. It is to change the zoning of the land adjacent to the Star Market
shopping plaza parking lot on Waltham Street, at the Waltham City line from RO, One-Family Dwelling, to CD,
Planned Commercial Development.
The site consists of 8,300 square feet that will be paved and marked for 27 parking spaces and will be
landscaped attractively This will be the beginning of an upgrade of the entire site. Mr Civilinski pointed out
that one advantage is that the existing curb cut onto Waltham Street will be eliminated and all vehicles will enter
through the existing shopping center parking lot.
Mr Davies pointed out that the shrubs shown on the plan would block a driver's view He suggested using trees
a driver could see under Mr Canale asked what public benefits they are proposing to justify the increase in
land value from the rezoning. He also asked why they want to do this before dealing with the rest of the parking
area. They answered that it is an eyesore and they want a better gateway to the shopping plaza. Moreover, the
area has drainage problems and they need more parking spaces. This project would solve these problems.
Minutes for the Meeting of March 4, 1996 3
Speaking to the Alternate Transportation Policy, they offered to work on making an LEXPRESS/MBTA bus
service link as described by Barbara Lucas, Transportation Coordinator Ms. Lucas also asked the applicants
why they did not develop an overall plan for the site before making plans for this small parcel.
The applicants are working with Brookhaven Retirement Community to deal with the problem of crossing
Waltham Street as a pedestrian. Mr Spillane said that current foot traffic does not meet the state warrant criteria
for installing a pedestrian walk light. Jere Frick, 1010 Waltham Street, said that the pedestrian walk light is very
important to the residents of Brookhaven. Mr Civilinski replied that they are working with Waltham on ways
to solve the problem. Paul Riffm, 6 Field Road, asked where snow now plowed from the shopping center that
it is currently piled up on the Lexington parcel would be put
Mrs. Davison declared the hearing closed at 10:38 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 10:39 p.m.
Frederick .. Merrill, Jr , Cler
I.