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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 07-10-1996 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JULY 10, 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 Canale, Colman, Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Marino present. Mr Davies and Mr. Merrill were absent. *************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT ************************** 135 Recent Activity a. 22 Revere Street Whitney Realty Trust. Sketch Preliminary Subdivision Plan. Rollout: Mr. Marino rolled out a sketch preliminary plan, for the 22 Revere Street development, that was submitted under Section 7 4.5, by Whitney Realty Trust on July 5, 1996. The staff has not reviewed the plan in detail yet. The time for action on this plan expires on August 5, 1996. h. Man 79 Lot 24 Valley Road and Myrtle Street. Mark Barons. New England Constriction Corp . Preliminary Street Improvement Plan: Mr. Marino rolled out a preliminary street improvement plan for property identified as Lot 24 on Assessors' Map 79 at Valley Road and Myrtle Street. The plan was submitted by Mark Barons on March 16, 1996 The staff has not reviewed the plan in detail yet. The time for action on this plan expires on August 15, 1996. c. Observations about Section 7 4.5 Reduced Frontage. Lots in a Small Subdivision: Mr Bowyer raised the question of how to decide which applications for subdivisions using Section 7 4.5, Reduced Frontage, Lots in a Small Subdivision, of the Zoning By-Law, to approve. Currently, there are four such applications before the Board. To avoid generating a sense of entitlement among the developers, he asked the Board to consider what criteria they will use to decide which applications fulfill the intent of that section. What objectives does it want to achieve? The Board agreed that the criteria should be added to its existing policy Mr. Canale suggested that a compliance plan based on the demolition of an existing house should not be acceptable if that same house is retained in the alternative plan. In addition to those already part of the regulations, Mr Bowyer suggested a procedure for polling the Town boards and departments listed in Section 9.6 of the Zoning Bylaw to determine what public benefits (improvements) are needed. ************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* PLANS NOT REOUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDTVISION CONTROT T.AW 136. Form A/96-12. 30 Wachusett Drive. John and Rose Scamnini: The Board reviewed an Approval Not Required Plan for land at 30 Wachusett Drive. On the motion of Mr Canale, seconded by Mr Colman, the Board voted unanimously, 3-0, to endorse the plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington, MA (Middlesex County)," dated July 3, 1996, prepared and certified by James R. Keenan, Registered Land Surveyor, Winchester, MA, with Form A/96-12, submitted by John and Rose Scampini, applicants, as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law SUBDIVISION OF LAND 137 Granger Pond Way The Windermere Group. Waiver to permit issuance of Certificate of Occupancy. Mr Marino reported that the developer of the Granger Pond subdivision has requested a waiver to allow them Ito execute a closing with the purchaser of#2 Granger Pond Way The Board reviewed a draft motion. Mr Bowyer recommended that the waiver be granted because it is desirable to have finish paving done in cooler months. Without the waiver, the developer would be forced to pave the street in the hottest months when it is most vulnerable to heavy equipment. 2 Minutes for the Meeting of July 10, 1996 --� On the motion of Mr Canale, seconded by Mr Colman, the Board voted unanimously, 3-0, for Lot #2 Granger Pond Way only, to grant a waiver from the provisions in section 3 7.5 4 6 that requires the filing of Certificates of Completion and the finish course of the street be installed so that the developers, John and Pat Austin, may complete the real estate transaction on lot #2 Granger Pond Way and the dwelling may be occupied. 138 627 Massachusetts Avenue. Sketch Subdivision Plan. Carter Scott: The Board reviewed a draft decision on the sketch plan for land at 627 Massachusetts Avenue, submitted by Carter Scott on May 24, 1996 Mrs. Davison suggested two possible public benefits the developer could provide: 1) making the barn a two- family dwelling, and, 2) making some improvements to the pond. The Board concurred. After a brief discussion, on the motion of Mr Canale, seconded by Mr Colman, the Board voted unanimously to approve the wording of the decision approving the sketch plan, as amended 139 94 Adams Street. Woodhaven Realty Sketch Subdivision Plan. Presentation: Peter Kelley, of Woodhaven Realty, Gary Larson of Larson Associates, landscape architects, and Richard Waitt, of Meridian Engineering, were present. The applicant wishes to use the provisions of Section 7 4.5, Reduced Frontage, Lots in a Small Subdivision. Mr. Larson presented the reduced frontage plan which shows two new houses, one on Brent Road and one on Adams Street. The wetland areas have been flagged. He also explained the compliance plan. As the public benefit required by Section 7 4.5 Mr Kelley proposes a cash payment, and believes the money should be used to determine the cause of and correct the water problems that the abutters already have. The Board asked for more ideas and suggested a connection to the bikepath. Other questions from the Board concerned drainage, the driveway, the placement of the new houses and the carriage house. Mr Kelley said that the carriage house has real potential for use. Mr Waitt said that the Conservation Commission approved the Notice of Intent filed by the developer That plan showed two proposed leaching catch basins that will reduce the impact of altered drainage from the development. Martin Schatzoff, 27 Brent Road, had many questions and comments about the depth of test pits, drainage and the carriage house. He said his back yard already has severe wetland problems and he is concerned that the new driveway will exacerbate these conditions. The presence of a third structure on the property, the carriage house, also concerns him. The Board discussed whether a driveway to Adams Street should be maintained. A new house could be set back from Adams Street which is noisy Mrs. Davison expressed concern about the carriage house and about a paved path or driveway to it. 140 Old Snrine Street. Sketch Subdivision Plan. Mark Zarillo. Presentation by Annlicant: Mark Zarillo, landscape architect, presented a plan for a two-lot subdivision. A waiver from the requirement for a town sewer hookup is requested. The proposed houses would have septic systems. As a public benefit, Mr Zarillo said he would make a cash payment to help the Town install a sewer connection. Mr. Canale asked how the proposed septic systems constitute a public benefit. Each member of the Board said they would not be in favor of waiving the requirement for connection to the public sewer After more questions about the alternative plans, the Board agreed that the designs shown are not sensitive to site and that the public benefit offered is not appropriate. The Board asked Mr Zarillo to take a fresh look at the property and come up with more acceptable compliance and alternative plans. The public benefit will be determined by the Board after consulting with other Town boards and committees. Minutes for the Meeting of July 10, 1996 3 141 Tracer Lane. Harold Nahigian. Discussion: The Board reviewed a draft letter, dated July 10, 1996, to Harold Nahigian, owner of the proposed Tracer Lane subdivision. The letter informs Mr Nahigian that he needs to file a covenant and record his subdivision plan. On the motion of Mr Canale, seconded by Mr Colman, the Board voted unanimously to approve the letter, as written. The Board had a wide-ranging discussion about the interrelated roles of the Planning Board, Board of Appeals the Building Commissioner and the Zoning Officer ************************************** REPORTS *************************************** 142. Planning Board. Subcommittees a. HATS. Mr Canale reported on an upcoming series of workshops of the Public Review and Input Subcommittee of HATS. The first in a series of workshops concerning the update of the scope of the Generic Environmental Impact Report on Hanscom, the subject is air and water quality The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m. 44#1( ��,4����' r(e#7 Frederick L. Merrill, Jr , Clerk I