HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 06-15-1998 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF JUNE 15, 1998
Chairman Merrill called the meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office
Building to order at 7.35 p.m. Members Colman,Davies,Galaitsis,Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant
Planner Marino were present. Ms.Bridge-Denzak was absent.
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128. Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of June 2, 1997 On
the motion of Mr. Galaitsis, seconded by Mr Colman, it was voted unanimously 4-0 to approve the minutes, as
amended.
*************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ****************
PLANS NOT REOUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW
129 Form A/98-7 55 Hayden Avenue. Snaulding& Sive: The Board reviewed an Approval Not Required
Plan for land at 55 Hayden Avenue. On the motion of Mr Davies, seconded by Mr. Galaitsis,the Board voted
unanimously
1 To endorse the plan entitled"Plan of Land in Lexington,MA,(Middlesex County)", dated March 27,
1998,prepared by Beals and Thomas,Inc.,Westborough Massachusetts,certified by Kenneth Conte,
Registered Land Surveyor, filed with Form A/98-7, submitted by Spaulding and Slye Real Estate
Services,Inc. Hayden Woods LLC, applicants,as it does not require approval under the Subdivision
Control Law; and
2. To endorse the plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington,MA,being a subdivision of Lot 290 on LC Plan
19485L(Middlesex County)",dated March 27, 1998,prepared by Beals and Thomas,Inc., Westborough
Massachusetts,certified by Kenneth Conte,Registered Land Surveyor, filed with Form A/98-7, submitted
by Spaulding and Slye Real Estate Services,Inc. Hayden Woods LLC,applicants,as it does not require
approval under the Subdivision Control Law
130. 577-581 Marrett Road Sketch Cluster Subdivision Plan. Harry Wight. Decision: The Board reviewed and
revised a draft decision, prepared by the staff, approving the sketch plan for a cluster subdivision at 577-581
Marrett Road presented to the Board at their meeting on June 1, 1998. On the motion of Mr Colman, seconded
by Mr Davies,the Board voted unanimously to approve the decision.
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
131. Porter Lane. The Windermere Groun.off Adams Street.Preliminary Conventional Subdivision Plan.
PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Merrill opened the public hearing at 8:00 p.m.Present for this item were John Austin
of The Windermere Group,applicant, Gary Larson, landscape architect,of Larson Associates,Inc.,Zoltan
Juhasz and Richard Waitt, engineers, of Meridian Engineering Collaborative,Inc. There were 55 people in the
audience. Mr.Austin presented some background on the property and their general philosophy as developers.
There is a Victorian-era house at 39 Adams Street and a Greek Revival cottage at 43 Adams Street.Mr. Austin
said they applied for a demolition permit for the cottage and were waiting for the six-months required by the
Demolition Delay Bylaw to pass.He said that no one, including LexHAB,has expressed interest in buying it.
Mr.Austin presented a number of cluster subdivision plans,with up to 13 housing units, along with a
preliminary plan for the six-lot conventional subdivision they would prefer to build.Mr.Merrill pointed out
that the cluster plans reflected the most extreme use of cluster regulations.
2 Minutes for the Meeting of June 15, 1998
Mr Davies said that he would like to see a demonstration of a special residential development alternative
within the cluster subdivision provisions. This would allow flexibility to create a lot for the Greek Revival
cottage. Mr. Bowyer agreed that it would provide an opportunity for preservation of the historic house and in
creased flexibility for a development of single family houses on somewhat smaller lots.
Comments from the audience included impassioned pleas for as few houses as possible to be built,for open
space to be preserved, especially adjacent to the bird sanctuary off Woodland Road, and for considerations for
the safety of children who go to Fiske School,which abuts the proposed development. There is concern that an
increase in traffic will create dangerous conditions.
Mr.Merrill closed the public hearing at 10:30 p.m.
132. Old SDrina Street. Ronald Lopez and Daniel Harrineton. Concern about Stop Work Order Ronald Lopez,
the developer of the Old Spring Street 7 4.5 Subdivision at 155 Old Spring Street, and Daniel Harrington,his
attorney were present. They expressed their displeasure at having been issued a stop work order on April 24
Mr Lopez feels that he has done everything required of him by the Planning Board's Development
Regulations, and more, and said he was dismayed both to receive the stop work order and that it was reported in
the newspaper He was also unhappy that he did not know about the Planning Board meeting at which the stop
work order was discussed. Mr. Merrill expressed regret that the stop work action had to be made and
appreciation of Mr Lopez's timely reaction to the Board's concern.
133 Currier Court.off Webb Street, Stone Monument: The Board discussed briefly the stone memorial to
Nishan Semonian that the former owners of the land at the Currier Court subdivision placed in the cul de sac's
island without the permission of the residents. The residents want it removed. On the motion of Mr. Galaitsis,
seconded by Mr. Colman,the Board voted unanimously to refer the matter to the Board of Selectmen.
*************** ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ****************
DETERMINATION OF GRADE AND CONSTRUCTION OF UNACCEPTED STREETS
134 Earl Street. Definitive Road Improvement plan. Mark Barons, Decision: The Board reviewed and revised a
draft decision on the definitive street construction plan for a portion of Earl Street, dated June 15, 1998, prepared
by the staff. On the motion of Mr Davies, seconded by Mr. Colman,the Board voted unanimously that it:
1 determines that Earl Street, an unaccepted street, insofar as it provides frontage for lots#162A and#163 on
Town property map number 72,as shown on plans entitled "Low Pressure Sewer Force Main and Details,
Site Construction Plan,Permit Site Plan of Land, and Landscaping Plan L-3" prepared for Daniel C. Tocci,
405 Waltham Street, Suite 313,Lexington,MA, and Joanne Kerwin, 40 Earl Street,Lexington MA,by
Meridian Engineering and Andover Engineering, filed on April 9, 1998, is not presently of adequate grade
and construction,but will be of adequate grade and construction if the improvements shown on the above
referenced plans are made;
2. approves the plans entitled "Low Pressure Sewer Force Main and Details dated 5/12/98, Site Construction
Plan dated 5/12/98,Permit Site Plan of Land dated 5/12/98, and Landscaping Plan L-3 dated 2/12/97,by
Meridian Engineering,Andover Engineering, and Landtech Associates, as the definitive street construction
plan; and
3 approves the wording of the draft decision dated June 15, 1998; and
4. authorizes either Robert A.Bowyer,Planning Director,or Joseph A.Marino,Assistant Planner to endorse
the plans and sign the decision.
Minutes for the Meeting of June 15, 1998 3
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
135. Annlications To Be Heard on June 25. 1998: Mr. Colman gave an oral review of the following
applications. On the motion of Mr Colman, seconded by Mr Galaitsis,the Board voted unanimously to make
the following comments on the petition below
1010 Waltham Street. Brookhaven, determination that conversion of 2 units is a minor revision
The Planning Board agreed to recommend that the proposed revision be reviewed for compliance with
the Preliminary Site Development and Use Plan approved by Town Meeting. Depending on the
outcome of that review a public hearing on a revision to the previously approved special permit with
site plan review or even an amendment to the Preliminary Site Development and Use Plan may be
needed.
The Planning Board makes these comments in the interests of following the right procedure for review
of the proposal. The comments should not be interpreted to question the fine service that Brookhaven
provides or the merits of the proposed changes. The Board authorized the staff to detail its reasons in a
letter to the Board of Appeals.
The Board agreed to make no comment on the following applications:
17 Denot Square,Artisans Way, special permit for a sign
55 Ledeelawn Avenue. Cusanello/Manickas, special permit to expand second story of dwelling
Mr. Davies disqualified himself from consideration of this item and left the room while the Board
discussed the application. He is the architect for the applicants. On the motion of Mr. Merrill,
seconded by Mr Galaitsis,the Board voted unanimously,3-0,to make no comment.
87 Adams Street, Sicari,variance to replace front entrance
f87 Adams Street. Sicari, special permit to add a dormer
t 37 Hiehland Avenue. Gillis,variance to allow deck to remain as constructed
313-321 Marrett Road. Camblex Realty Trust, variance to reduce the number of parking spaces and
increase the number of compact parking spaces
313-321 Marrett Road. Seattle's Best Coffee, special permit to operate a take-out, fast-food service
1628 Massachusetts Avenue. Pet Mania Gifts, special permit for sign
The Board also agreed to make no comment on the applications below scheduled to be heard by the Board of
Appeals on July 9, 1998
Lot on Earl Street.John Daley,appeal of a decision of the Zoning Office
15 Brandon Street,Hegarty, special permit to add full-shed dormer to dwelling
700 Waltham Street.Carroll,renewal of special permit to continue uses allowed under the previous permit
The meeting was adjourned at 11.10 p.m.
Ae--ei, ,A444141
Steven L. Colman,Clerk