HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 08-31-1998 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF AUGUST 31, 1998
Chairman Merrill called the meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office
Building to order at 7:05 p.m. Members Bridge-Denzak,Davies,Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant
Planner Marino were present. Mr. Colman and Galaitsis were absent,both out of town on business.
**************** COORDINATION WITH OTHER BOARDS, COMMITTEES *******************
161.Discussion with the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen: Peter Enrich, Chairman of the Board of
Selectmen, was present to speak with the Planning Board about the Selectmen's new community-wide Strategic
Planning and Goal Setting initiative.He described it as broad based effort aimed at reaching consensus about the
community's core values. He said that it is critical that the Planning Board be involved throughout the process
and that there will be a work plan with specific time lines attached to it. Mr. Merrill responded that the Planning
Board is committed to reinforcing the process. He asked for time for the Planning Board to digest the draft
document Mr. Enrich provided that evening and offered to talk more about it at the Planning Board' next
meeting.Members of the Planning Board expressed their support for the Selectmen's initiative.
162. Representatives from the Department of Public Works: Drainage System Policy GIS System:
a. George Woodbury, Director of Public Works, and David Carbonneau, Assistant Town Engineer, were
present to explain the their new drainage system policy The new policy addresses questions about the Town's
liability for, and its part in, maintaining drainage and infiltration systems in subdivisions. Mr Bowyer
commented that part of a long term solution will be to make all parties, including home buyers in later years,
aware of who is responsible when problems arise.
b. Mr. Carbonneau updated the Board on continuing efforts to acquire a GIS system for the Town. At this
time, data is being accumulated piecemeal by asking developers/builders to provide site information in CAD/GIS
form. The Assessors maps have been scanned and are now in raster format.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
163. Applications To Be Heard on September 10, 1998: Mr. Merrill suggested that in view of the Board's past
experience with the Board of Appeals, particularly in the recent case of Stop and Shop's petition for special
permits and variances, the Planning Board should sharply limit the time it spends reviewing the petitions. He
suggested that the Board member responsible each month bring only the ones he/she believes need Planning
Board review to their attention. On the motion of Mr.Davies, seconded by Ms.Bridge-Denzak,the Board voted
unanimously that the member reviewing the petitions would decide which ones the Planning Board might want
to comment on.
Ms.Bridge-Denzak gave an oral review of the following applications. On the motion of Mr Davies, seconded
by Ms.Bridge-Denzak,the Board voted unanimously to make no comment on the petitions.
19 Hillcrest Avenue, Orcutt,variance to construct two-story addition to a dwelling
15 Hamblin Street. Shaw,variance to replace porch
12 Oxford Street.Peterson,variance to add vestibule and steps to a proposed addition to a dwelling
22 Bow Street.Marques,variance to construct a one-story addition to a dwelling
135 Mass.Avenue.Mass.Ave.Deli, special permit to operate takeout,fast-food restaurant
130 Pleasant Street.Montessori School, special permit to reduce number of parking spaces
2 Minutes for the Meeting of August 31, 1998
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
164 22 Revere Street- Accent Covenant. Endorse Plan: Mr. Marino reported that the developers, Janice and EE
Daniel Whitney, have satisfied the conditions that were to be met prior to the endorsement of the plans in k
aolA,dance-with-Section-3-7.....-ofthe-Du Regalations.Thesubzlivision was approved by the Planning --�
Board on June 8, 1998. On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Ms. Bridge-Denzak, the Board voted
unanimously to:
a. accept the covenant executed by Daniel M. and Janice C. Whitney, Trustees of Whitney Realty
Trust, dated August 24, 1998; and
b. endorse the definitive subdivision plans entitled "22 Revere Street, Lexington, Massachusetts"
dated March 13, 1998
165. Denver Street-Release of Covenant: Mr.Marino reported that on August 14, 1998,Robert E. Phelan,
the developer of the Denver Street subdivision,requested in writing that the Planning Board release the owner,
Paul A. Phelan, from the covenant.The developer has completed all of the required construction work and tasks
associated with the implementation of the subdivision as required by Section 3 7.6 of the Development
Regulations. Certificates of Completion by the Civil Engineer,the Land Surveyor, and the Landscape
Architect, are on file and certify that the subdivision was completed and complies with the approved
subdivision plan all as required by Section 3 7.6.2.2 of the Development Regulations.
In addition,the Planning Board's approval of this subdivision plan required that the street remain private so the
Town of Lexington will not accept it. On August 28, 1998 the Town Engineer certified the work on the Denver
Street subdivision was completed in accordance with the Town's standards and the approved plans. On the
motion of Mr Davies, seconded by Ms. Bridge-Denzak,the Board voted unanimously that:
Whereas the Town Engineer,has indicated in a memorandum, dated August 28, 1998,that the "as-built"
plans of the Denver Street subdivision have been approved,and that all required community facilities in
the subdivision have been satisfactorily completed in accordance with the Town's standards:
To release the owner,Paul A.Phelan, from the provisions of the covenant dated May 14, 1997
**************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT ***************************
166. Recent Activity Mr. Bowyer reported that the Attorney General's Office has invalidated two
paragraphs of the newly adopted Section 15 of the Zoning By-Law, controlling the siting of
telecommunications antennae that was passed at the 1998 Annual Town Meeting.Paragraphs 15.3.3.3 and
15.3.3.4 which provided special treatment for communication facilities on Town owned land,were ruled to
violate the uniformity requirement of the Zoning Act. He characterized the invalidation as relatively harmless.
************************* PLANNING BOARD REGULATIONS **************************
167 Old Smith Farm Preliminary Cluster Subdivision Plan.James Gaklis: Public information meeting:
James Gaklis, applicant,Ronald Wood, landscape architect,of Guidelines, Inc.,Frederick Russell, engineer,
and Daniel Smith, an investor,were present for this item. There were neighbors in the audience. Mr Wood
showed the Board a preliminary cluster subdivision plan called Old Smith Farm, on property at 160-170 Wood
Street. He said it is based on the Board's comments made earlier at the sketch plan stage. He explained the
public benefits package the developer is offering as part of the cluster subdivision approach.It includes
reasonably priced housing comprised of four dwelling units,two rental and two for sale. The developer plans
to convert the Schumacher barn into a two-family dwelling.
Planning Board members asked questions about"the hole"(a problematic depression in the ground at the site),
the roadway and plans to preserve trees. Mr.Merrill commented that the plans are a step in the right direction.
Minutes for the Meeting of August 31, 1998 3
Questions and comments from the audience had to do with saving the Schumacher barn, the amount of
impervious surface planned,the possibility of blasting to prepare the site and other engineering issues,e.g.,
power lines and access to the site.Nancy Seasholes and Marilyn Fenelosa of the Historical Commission
objected to the proposed treatment of the barn.It was agreed the applicant would meet with representatives of
the Historical Commission to discuss revisions.
Mr. Merrill closed the hearing at 9:00 p.m.
168. 577-580 Marrett Road Preliminary Cluster Subdivision Plan,Harry Wight: Public information meeting:
Harry Wight and Richard Ruggiero, of Chestnut Green LLC, applicants, Timothy Jordan, landscape architect,
of Jordan Associates, and Sue Hawkes of Hunneman Real Estate, were present for this item. There were 12
people in the audience. Mr. Wight and Mr. Jordan presented a preliminary cluster subdivision plan showing
eight townhouses on a cul de sac for land at 577-581 Marrett Road. The plan addressed comments and
suggestions the Planning Board made at the sketch plan stage. The presentation included a three-dimensional
model of the site and proposed buildings.
The Planning Board expressed its approval of the direction the proposal is going, including the proffered public
benefit of installing trees along both sides of the Marrett Road right of way and "adopting"the traffic island at
the intersection of Marrett Road and Lincoln Street. If these are not acceptable to the Board, the developer
proposes a$10,000 donation to the Town to use as it sees fit.
Comments and questions from the audience had to do with current water problems in the area and the proposed
drainage system.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 p.m.
teven L. Colman, Clerk
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