HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 02-02-1998 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 2, 1998
Chairman Canale called the meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office
Building,to order at 7:38 p.m.Members Colman,Davies, Galaitsis,Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant
Planner Marino were present. Mr.Merrill was absent.
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26. Mr Bowyer reported on the following recent activity
a. Possible Town Acquisition of Land: The staff met with Philip Hamilton of the Conservation Commission,
and the owner of a parcel of land the Town may purchase. Mr. Hamilton will follow up with Town
Counsel Norman Cohen.
b. Historic Survey Data: Mr. Bowyer reported that he had met with David Kelland, Chairman of the
Historical Commission who told him that John Austin has applied for a demolition permit for a circa 1845
Greek Revival cottage at 48 Adams Street. The Demolition Delay By-Law is currently preventing its
demolition for at least six months.
The Historical Commission has been engaged in surveying historical properties in Lexington. They
provided a disk with data from the Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey Mr. Marino will add the
data to the real estate database.
The Commission would like to be notified when a subdivision that must include a public benefit is brought
before the Planning Board.Mr.Davies suggested giving the data to local realtors as well.
c. Middlesex Hospital Property Mr Marino reported on a public hearing the Waltham Board of Survey and
Planning will hold on a subdivision planned by Perseus New England on land formerly owned by the
Middlesex County Hospital.He and the Conservation Administrator went to see the plans,which show a
five-lot residential subdivision.The developer sought to have the local zoning,which required that any use
be public,vacated.The courts invalidated that exclusive provision of the City of Waltham zoning district
and will require that single family housing be a permitted use.
d. 519 Marrett Road,Butler Property A sale is pending on the property at 519 Marrett Road,which was
rezoned to RS,One Family Dwelling in 1996.A prospective buyer had questions for the staff recently
about what he could do with the property
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27 Preparation for the February 9 Hearings for Proposed Zoning Amendments: Mr. Bowyer reported that the
staff is preparing wording for article presentations and the reports to Town Meeting on the Board's proposed
zoning amendments. They urged collaboration with the Board member responsible for each article.
*************ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************t
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
28. Garfield Street Extension.Completion of Proiect.Release Covenant: Mr.Marino informed the Board that the
Town Engineer has indicated in a memorandum,dated January 7, 1998,that the"as-built"plans of the Garfield
Street Extension subdivision have been approved,and that all required community facilities in the subdivision
have been satisfactorily completed in accordance with the Town's standards.After a brief discussion,on the
motion of Mr.Davies,seconded by Mr.Galaitsis,the Board voted unanimously to release the developers,Ronald
and Nancy Gold,from the provisions of the covenant dated October 27, 1995.
29 94 Adams Street 7 4.5 Subdivision. Set and Accent Surety Release One Lot: Mr. Marino informed the
Board that the developer of the 94 Adams Street 7 4.5 subdivision wishes to deposit surety with the Town in
2 Minutes for the Meeting of February 2, 1998
order to have a lot released. The surety is necessary to ensure completion of the work on the lot and of the other
requirements of the approved subdivision although both lots have frontage on public streets. After a brief
discussion, on the motion of Mr.Davies, seconded by Mr Galaitsis,the Board voted unanimously 4-0:
1 That because Brent Road is an existing public street, it provides adequate frontage and community
facilities;
2. That the amount of surety for the 94 Adams Street subdivision be set at$24,860.50;that this amount
includes: the total remaining"Cost to Construct," a contingency, an allowance for escalation of
construction costs and an allowance for the Town's administrative costs,and is the amount necessary to
hold until the completion of the community facilities and the subdivision;
3 If the subdivision is not completed by February 2, 1999, or if little or none of the work that remained, at the
time this surety was posted is completed by that time, and the current costs of the amount of work to be
completed,have increased,the amount of surety will be increased to reflect the costs of completing the
work and the developer will be required to furnish additional surety to the Planning Board;
4 To accept surety in the amount of$24,860.50 in the form of Lexington Savings Bank passbook number
1208317; and
5. To release lots A and B.
PLANS NOT REOUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW
30. Form A/98-1. The Board reviewed an Approval Not Required Plan for land at 42-44 Adams Street. On the
motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr Galaitsis,the Board voted unanimously to endorse the plan entitled
"Plan of Land in Lexington,MA(Middlesex County)" dated January 16, 1998,prepared by Medford
Engineering and Survey,Medford,MA.,certified by Angelo B.Veneziano,Professional Land Surveyor,with
Form A/98-1, submitted by Mary B. Chiesa and John Chiesa, applicant, as it does not require approval under
the Subdivision Control Law I(
31 Form A/98-2. The Board reviewed an Approval Not Required Plan for land at 23 Slocum Road. On the l
motion of Mr Davies, seconded by Mr. Galaitsis,the Board voted unanimously to endorse the plan entitled
"Plan of Land in Lexington,MA(Middlesex County)" dated November 14, 1997,prepared by H&R Survey,
Arlington,MA, certified by Clifford E.Robert,Professional Land Surveyor,with Form A/98-2, submitted by
Alice Molvar, applicant, as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
32. Applications To Be Heard on February 12. 1998: Mr.Davies gave an oral review of the following
applications:
31 Oakland Street,Boswell,variances to add a covered porch and two-car garage
The Planning Board agreed to recommend caution with respect to the existing trees. It believes
that tree wells will be required to save the trees. In addition, the garage could be slightly
narrower to avoid crowding one tree.
121 Massachusetts Avenue, Suburban Floor and Wall Craft,variance to install awnings
The Planning Board believes that any signage should be confined to the building itself. It will
recommend that no signage should be permitted on the awning.
The Board agreed to make no comment on the applications below
91 Grove Street, Chaudhury, special permit to add second story to dwelling
91 Grove Street, Chaudhury,variance to enlarge and cover the front porch
Minutes for the Meeting of February 2, 1998 3
**************************** REGIONAL,INTERTOWN ISSUES ***************************
GEOGRAPHIC
33. Intersections in South Lexington.Report on the Meeting of January 22: Mr. Canale reported on a meeting of
representatives of the South Lexington Civic Association with the Town Manager, Selectman Leo McSweeney
and the Richard Cook of BSC, traffic engineers. He described some potential improvements to the traffic level of
service at some intersections in South Lexington that were discussed. The next meeting of the group will be on
February 5, 1998. Mr. Canale suggested that some Planning Board members attend that meeting, as he will be out
of town.
*************ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS **************
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
34 Lexington Park Sketch Subdivision Plan, off Winter Street. Carter Scott/Jack Snell.Presentation by the
Developer Robert Carter Scott, and John Snell,the applicant,Michael Wienmayr, landscape architect, and
Richard Bechtel, architect,were present. Mr. Weinmayr presented plans that show eighteen dwelling units and
a network of open space connected to existing open space around the development site.A new street, off
Winter Street, with two cul de sacs is proposed to provide access.Built with a southerly orientation to
maximize solar gain,the houses,a combination of attached and detached single family units, are traditional in
style to blend with the surrounding neighborhoods. He described the process that will be followed to preserve
existing trees and their plans to augment existing trees with new plantings,particularly along neighboring
properties.
Carter Scott noted that their plans respond to the stated goals of the cluster subdivision regulations in that they
provide much open space,reflect total site planning sensitive to the natural features of the land and offer a
variety of housing types. They are planning units ranging from one-bedroom apartments to two-three- and
four-bedroom houses. Two or three of the units will be rental units. Regarding the required public benefits,they
propose to pave a basketball court, enhance the path,provide a guardrail along the street and donate land to the
Conservation Commission so that it is clearly open to the public.
Questions from the Planning Board dealt with the three-pod concept of houses arranged around cul de sacs,the
amount of paved surface,parking for vehicles,the number of garages.The Board urged the developers to work
closely with the neighbors as they proceed with their plans. Mr Scott pointed out that so far the abutters have
expressed desires for the project that are counter to the aims of the cluster subdivision regulations.
A number of abutters were present to ask questions and to voice their concerns about traffic safety and the
visual and other impacts of the development.
The developers agreed to check the sight distance for the new road for compliance with engineering standards
and to provide cost estimates for the public benefits offered.
4 Minutes for the Meeting of February 2, 1998
************************ ARTICLES FOR 1998 TOWN MEETING ************************
35 Article 32.Wireless Communications Antennas: The Board reviewed the fourth draft of the proposed
amendment to control siting of wireless communications antennas in town.
36. Article 40. Outdoor Lighting: Mr. Davies provided the latest wordi of the propos mendment,which
was reviewed.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:46 p.m. 1 / /
John L. Davies,Clerk