HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 04-01-1996 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF APRIL 1, 1996
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board, held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order
at 7.37 p.m. by Chairman Davison, with members Colman, Davies, Merrill, Planning Director Bowyer, and
Assistant Planner Marino present. Mr Canale arrived during Item 67
************************ ARTICLES FOR 1996 TOWN MEETING ************************
67 Article 31 RS to RD Pelham Road. Grey Nuns: Mr. Bowyer reported that he had communicated to the
Grey Nuns the Board's concerns about their preliminary site development and use plan. He said they will make
the changes that the Board wants and will file a revised PSDUP incorporating these points.
Mr Bowyer, at the Planning Board's request, talked with the chairman of the Lexington Housing Assistance
Board and the COA director about their possible involvement in tenant selection at Youville Place. Marshall
Derby, chairman of LexHAB, said he does not believe LexHAB should be involved in monitoring compliance
with the assisted living program because fees include services other than rent. Linda Crew Vine, Council on
Aging director, said the COA is potentially interested in being involved but wants to understand all the
implications, money, staffing, etc., before committing to it.
On the motion of Mr Canale, seconded by Mr Merrill, the Board voted unanimously, 4-0, to recommend
approval of Article 31 conditioned on the requested change in the preliminary site development and use plan.
The Board reviewed and revised a draft report to Town Meeting. On the motion of Mr Canale, seconded by
Mr Merrill, the Board voted unanimously, 4-0, to approve the wording of the report to Town Meeting, as
amended.
68. Article 31 RO to CD Waltham Street (Gravestar, Inca Mr Marino reported that David Spillane, site
designer, of Goody, Clancy and Associates, Architects, indicated to him that Gravestar is considering
withdrawing Article 32. Mr Bowyer reported further that in the discussion that Mr Marino had with the
applicant, they questioned whether indefinite postponement would have the same effect as a disapproval which
would trigger the repetitive petition provision in the State Zoning Act. For a petition that has been disapproved
within the previous two years, a favorable recommendation of four fifths of a future Planning Board is needed
to bring the petition before the future Town Meeting. He reported he had discussed the question with Mike
Callaghan, a zoning expert at Palmer& Dodge. Callaghan pointed out there was not any "black letter law" on
the subject but was confident withdrawal would not be treated in the same way as a disapproval because the
courts generally favor the right of petition to government bodies.
After some discussion about Gravestar, Inc.'s proposal to rezone land that is part of the Waltham Street Star
Market shopping plaza, on the motion of Mr Canale, seconded by Mr Merrill, the Board voted 3-2, Mrs.
Davison and Mr Davies opposed, to recommend disapproval of this article to Town Meeting. After reviewing
a draft report, on the motion of Mrs. Davison, seconded by Mr Merrill, the Board voted 3-2, Mrs. Davison
and Mr Davies opposed, to approve the report to Town Meeting, as written. Mr Davies explained he had
voted against the motion because he did not believe the report contained the spirit of encouragement he was
looking for
Later, Mr Merrill moved, and Mr Canale seconded that the motion to approve the report be reconsidered. That
motion was approved by a 4-1 vote, with Mrs. Davison opposed. Mr. Merrill said he now understood the points
raised by several Board members that the report should be more positive and encourage Gravestar to continue
working on the issues the Board had raised. He offered to work on a redraft.
2 Minutes for the Meeting of April 1, 1996
The Board discussed the timing of a revised report and its scheduled meetings relative to the package of reports
it needed to distribute to Town Meeting Members. Messrs. Canale, Merrill and Davies said they were willing
to support a rewritten report. Mr Bowyer said the staff could produce a revised draft but did not want to have
it printed until the Board members reviewed it. He agreed to take Mr. Merrill's wording, make other changes
suggested and get a revised draft to the Board as soon as possible.
69 Article 33. CS to RS. Marrett Road. Butler: The Board reviewed a draft report to Town Meeting. Mr
Colman requested that a reference to the environmental report the property owner prepared be added. On the
motion of Mr Canale, seconded by Mr Merrill, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of
Article 33 to Town Meeting, and to approve the wording of the draft report to Town Meeting, as amended.
70 Article 2R. Living Facilities for Seniors: The Board reviewed a draft report to Town Meeting. After some
discussion, on the motion of Mr Davies, seconded by Mr Merrill, the Board voted unanimously, 5-0, to
approve the report to Town Meeting, as amended.
71 Article 29 Comprehensive Revision of Section 9- Mr. Bowyer reported that he discussed, with the Board
of Appeals, part B of the amendment revising the cluster subdivision regulations. Part B would transfer Special
Permit Granting Authority to the Planning Board. The Board of Appeals was not in favor of this transfer of
authority The Planning Board agreed to delete Part B from the amendment. On the motion of Mr Merrill,
seconded by Mr Davies, the Board voted unanimously to approve the fifth draft, dated March 26, as amended.
72. Article 30. Frontage Reduction. Lots in a Small Subdivision: The Board gave the staff direction for writing
the report to Town Meeting on Article 30
*************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT **************************
73 Recent Activity
Form A/96-4 Summit Road. Barry Caouette: Mr Bowyer reported that an Approval Not Required plan for
the land on Summit Road was submitted by Barry Caouette on March 26, 1996. The Board will not be able
to act on or endorse this plan until it makes a determination that the unaccepted portion of Summit Road is of
adequate grade and construction to provide frontage for the lots. Mr Caouette has a proposed street
improvement plan for Summit Road before the Board.
************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
DETERMINATION OF GRADE AND CONSTRUCTION OF IINACCF_,PTED STRPF,TS
74 Summit Road. Definitive Street Improvement Plan. Barry Caouette. Presentation by Applicant: Mr
Caouette, the applicant, presented his plan to improve a section of Summit Road. He is requesting waivers so
that the portion improved is in character with the existing road which is narrower in width than the regulations
require and has no sidewalk. Trees would be saved if these waivers are approved.
Mrs. Davison asked why a landscape plan was not shown. Mr Caouette said he was not aware that he needed
to include a more detailed landscape plan. There was discussion about drainage.
Wendel Kalsow, an abutter, spoke in favor of the plan with the waiver requests. He regards it as the plan most
sensitive to the character of the neighborhood.
The Board discussed the waivers requested.
I
Minutes for the Meeting of April 1, 1996 3 �'
75. Oakmount Circle Preliminary Street Improvement Plan. Richard J Curtin. Direction to Staff-
The Board discussed the Oakmount Circle Preliminary Street Improvement plan presented to the Board by Mr
Curtin on March 25, 1996. There was a lengthy discussion of the effects of road construction on the area and
the waiver requests made by Mr Curtin.
*************** COORDINATION WITH OTHER BOARDS, COMMITTEES ***************
76 Endorsement of Annlication for Transportation Enhancement Proposal for Depot Square-Emery Park:
Barbara Lucas, Lexington's Transportation Administrator has asked that the Board endorse an application for
a grant for a Transportation Enhancement Proposal in connection with the redesign of Depot Square/Emery
Park. On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr Colman, the Board voted unanimously to approve the
letter of support.
The meeting was adjourned at 11.05 p.m. ‘P-1(
(1/14
Frederick L. Merrill, Jr , Clerk
P
i
L.