HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 04-13-1998 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF APRIL 13, 1998
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building,was called to order at
7:06 p.m. by Chairman Merrill,with members Colman,Davies,Planning Director Bowyer, and Secretary Tap
present. Ms.Bridge-Denzak arrived during item 89 Mr. Galaitsis was absent.
************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
84 Applications To Be Heard on April 16 and 30. 1998: Mr Galaitsis being out of town on business,the
Board reviewed written comments he had prepared on the following applications:
Vacant lot abutting 32 Burlington Street. Sanborn,variance to exempt the lot from lot size and frontage
requirements
The Board agreed to recommend denial of the petition. They agree with the Zoning Officer's
determination that the two lots have been combined by application,and by the building of a garage
on the lot line.These are two of the three criteria for combination of lots described in the 1983
Guidelines for Combining Lots prepared by Palmer and Dodge. The Board authorized the staff to
prepare a letter to the Board of Appeals citing the Massachusetts case lot about not granting
variances for lot area or frontage.
The Board agreed to make no comment on the applications below
55 Ledgelawn Avenue,Cusanello and Manickas,variance to add a bay window
(Mr Davies disqualified himself from reviewing this application and left the meeting room for this
item as he is working with the applicant on the design of the bay window He rejoined the meeting
after the Board decided to make no comment on the application.)
64 Pleasant Street, Warren,variance to build a garage
137 Mass.Avenue,Domino's Pizza, special permit for take out food service
1666 Mass.Avenue. Scoop's Ice Cream,special permit for take out food service
SPECIAL PERMIT WITH SITE PLAN REVIEW
85 Spaulding & Sive. 55 Hayden Avenue. Reauests for Field Changes: Mr. Bowyer reported that Spaulding
& Slye has requested two field changes in connection with their building addition at 55 Hayden Avenue. They
wish to change the type of outdoor light fixtures they will use and to move a free-standing sign. The Board had
reviewed supporting material that Thomas McGarrigle, Spaulding & Slye, provided along with the request. The
material indicated that the new light fixtures meet the requirements of the outdoor lighting amendment to the
Zoning By-law passed at Town meeting on April 1, 1998. Mr. Davies commented that the use of metal halide
lamps would be an improvement over the original lights proposed in the plan. The Board asked the staff to verify
that the lamps are shielded so as to prevent overflow light.
Regarding the re-location of the sign,the Board members agreed that they found no difficulty with the
proposed new location.
************************* ARTICLES FOR 1998 TOWN MEETING **************************
86. Follow-up on Planning Board Articles
a. Article 13. Street Acceptances. Currier Court: Mr Bowyer reported that a stone inscribed with a memorial
to Nishan Semonian has been placed on the landscaped island on Currier Court. Mr. Semonian was a previous
owner of the land on which the Currier Court Subdivision was built in recent years. Currier Court, the street, is
slated to be accepted as a Town way this year at Town Meeting. The stone memorial presents a problem in that
2 Minutes for the Meeting of April 13, 1998
the trustees who sold the land to John Sarkis, the developer, and who had the stone placed on the island, did not
seek the approval of the neighbors or the Planning Board. Several of these residents have voiced their displeasure ,
about the memorial.
Mr Sarkis has stated in a letter to the Board that as the agent-ofthe trust he is intent on resolving_this matterto
the satisfaction of all parties. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed that the memorial should not delay the
acceptance of the street by Town Meeting. Currier Court is slated to be accepted this year It will be a matter for
the Board of Selectmen to deal with.
b. Article 35. Technical Corrections. possible notice of reconsideration. height of crawl space. cellar: Mr
Davies explained that he talked with George Burnell, Town Meeting member from Precinct 7, who would like
the Board to change the proposed seven-foot basement height threshold to 6 feet 8 inches. He explained how
the State Building code defines"habitable" space. Mr. Burnell arrived at the meeting at this time and joined in
the discussion. The Board agreed to bring up the subject at the 1999 Town Meeting. Mr Burnell agreed not to
serve notice of reconsideration on the article.
c. Article 40. Outdoor lighting interpretation to be applied to 3, 4 family dwellings: Mr. Bowyer said that the
Board received a letter from David Kanter, Town Meeting member from Precinct 7, asking if the new Section
14, Outdoor Lighting,will apply to multi-family buildings like those at Drummer Boy Condominiums and Fiske
Commons. He said it appears that it does and corrective language should be introduced at next year's Town
Meeting.
d. Article 32. Regulations for Wireless Communications: Mr. Bowyer also reported that the Board received
an inquiry from Jane Gharibian, chairman of the Selectmen's Cable Television and Telecommunications
Committee, about the regulations to implement the wireless communications antenna amendment. Mr. Colman
said he would call Mrs. Gharibian.
***************** COORDINATION WITH OTHER BOARDS, COMMITTEES *****************
87 a. Historic Districts Commission Regulations: Mr. Davies said he has had a request from Mrs.
Gschwendter,to be on an ad hoc committee that the HDC is setting up to write its regulations. He accepted,
explaining that it fits in with his duties as Planning Board representative to the Historic Districts Commission.
87 b. Hennessy Field Ad Hoc Committee: Mr. Merrill reported that he was asked by the Town Manager if the
Planning Board wants to be represented on the Hennessy Field Ad Hoc Committee, set up by an amendment to
Article 46 made by Judith Uhrig,Town Meeting Member from Precinct 4. Mr.Merrill informed him that the
Board would like to be represented.The Board agreed that Mr Colman would be the primary liaison and Ms.
Bridge-Denzak an additional liaison.
87 c. Letter of Commendation for the Staff: Mr Merrill also reported that the Planning Board has unanimously
agreed to write a letter of commendation of the staff to go to the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager
Mr. Colman read the draft of the letter he had prepared. On the motion of Mr Colman, seconded by Mr
Davies,the Board voted unanimously to approve the letter Mr.Davies said it expresses the Board's thanks for
the work the staff did on the Board's 1998 zoning amendments. Mr Merrill noted that the Planning Board
made a good showing at Town meeting this year. The letter recognizes that without the staff,the Planning
Board could not have brought the amendments before Town Meeting as successfully
The meeting was adjourned at 8:01 p.m.
i/C1. (
Steven L. Colman,Clerk