HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 11-18-1998 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 18, 1998
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The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Room Town Office Building,was called
to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Merrill with members Colman,Davies, Galaitsis,Bridge-Denzak, Planning
Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Marino present.
************************************* MINUTES ***************************************
202. Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meetings of June 8,June 15,
July 13, August 31, September 9, and September 16, 1998. On the motion of Mr Galaitsis, seconded by Mr.
Davies, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes, as amended.
The Board reviewed the minutes for the meetings of July 27,August 3,August 17, and November 4, 1998. On
the motion of Mr. Galaitsis,seconded by Mr.Davies, it was voted unanimously to approve the minutes,as written.
************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
203 Connersmvth Way Cluster Subdivision Plan off Marrett Road, Harry Wight & Co. Public Hearing: Mr
Merrill opened the hearing at 747 p.m.There were 12 people in the audience.He said he would divide the hearing
into two parts: 1)Presentation by the developer and discussion of the plan vis a vis the requirements of the Zoning
By-Law and subdivision regulations, and 2) discussion of the public benefit. He said he appreciates the strong
interests expressed by many for a particular benefit—a path.He pointed out that there is no legal requirement that
a public benefit be provided. The Board has been carrying on good faith negotiations with the developer to get
more benefits. JI
Harry Wight and Richard Ruggiero, Chestnut Green, LLC, applicants, presented definitive plans for a cluster
subdivision off Marrett Road that shows three buildings with eight dwelling units,consisting of 6 townhouses and
2 semi-attached dwellings.Using an aerial photograph and a 3-D model, he described the main features of the
site plan.He listed waivers, special permit requests and other aspects of the plan,e.g., extensive landscaping will
be done to screen off the abutting Shell service station. The wetlands on the site include a"perennial"pool. The
developer and the condominium association will maintain the drainage system and the road.
Mr. Colman expressed his appreciation for the caliber of this cluster plan.He said it represents a bench mark for
future cluster proposals in the way it is designed and in the degree of thoughtfulness and effort of the developer
that brought the proposal to this point.Mr Galaitsis concurred. Other comments and questions from the Board
had to do with the special permit request and the public benefit.
Comments from the audience were mainly positive. Questions had mainly to do with the developers' proposed
public benefit. Gloria McMenimen,264 Lincoln Street,said that she hopes that provisions for storm water runoff
will prevent additional water problems for her house.
Marita Hartshorn,representing the Bicycle Advisory Committee, and Angela Frick,representing the Conservation
Commission, spoke and read letters in favor of an easement for a link to the bicycle path and a future footpath
leading to Bridge School. Richard Canale, speaking as a Town Meeting Member in Precinct 9 and others also
spoke in favor of this amenity Miriam Boucher, 252 Lincoln Street, was opposed-to a-path because of the
possibility of trash and noise annoyance from users of a path.Other abutters also spoke in opposition to the path,
saying it would not be safe for school-age children.
2 Minutes for the Meeting of November 18, 1998
Mr.Wight responded that he is dismayed to hear that,after all their meetings with the powers that be to reach this
point in the process,a number of parties are now asking for an easement. Even the Conservation Commission is
advocating a public path through a wetland area that they asked, earlier in the process, to have protected with
plantings.
Mr. Merrill closed the hearing at 9:05 p.m.
204. Porter Lane.Conventional Subdivision off Adams Street.The Windermere Groun. Public Hearing: Mr.
Merrill opened the hearing at 9:07 p.m. There were 12 people in the audience. John Austin of The Windermere
Group,the applicant, and Gary Larson, landscape architect, of Larson Associates,Inc.,were present to explain
their plans for a 6-lot conventional subdivision on land at 39 and 43 Adams Street. Mr. Austin highlighted the
main points of his plans and detailed how they address concerns and guidance given by the Planning Board,the
Engineering Department,the Historical Commission and abutters at an earlier stage. The Greek Revival cottage
will be retained,moved and renovated into an accessory apartment for which a variance and special permits were
obtained from the Board of Appeals.
Mr Larson explained the site plan and conditions that affected its design. The plan differs little from the
preliminary plan except to address the concerns referenced above. The stone wall along Adams Street will be
retained along with all but one [diseased] of the sugar maples.For safety(Fiske School is nearby)and aesthetic
reasons,the drainage system is underground.Two waivers are requested.Mr.Austin walked through his response
to the Town Engineer's points.
Planning Board comments and questions had to do with the drainage system, the limit of work lines and the
landscaping plan.
Comments from the audience had to do with a path leading under some trees that has been enjoyed by walkers
over the years, an existing paved path, and the retaining wall.
Mr.Merrill closed the hearing at 10:08 p.m.
*************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT **************************
205 Recent Activity
112 Laconia Street. Sketch Preliminary Subdivision Plan.Rollout: Mr.Bowyer rolled out a sketch preliminary
plan for a conventional subdivision at 112 Laconia Street,that was submitted by Lisa Tanner and Greg Nahigian
on October 30, 1998. The staff has not reviewed the plan in detail yet. The time for action on this plan expires
on November 29, 1998.
************ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
PLANS NOT REOUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW
206. Form A/98-13. 80 Middle Street.Todd Cataldo:The Board reviewed an Approval Not Required Plan for
land at 80 Middle Street.On the motion of Mr. Galaitsis, seconded by Mr.Colman,the Board voted unanimously
to endorse the plan entitled "Plan of Land in Lexington,MA(Middlesex County)," dated November 11, 1998,
prepared by Meridian Engineering, Inc., Danvers, MA., certified by Alexander Diotte, Professional Land
Surveyor,with Form A/98-13,submitted by Thomas Cataldo,applicant,as it does not require approval under the
Subdivision Control Law
Minutes for the Meeting of November 18, 1998 3
************************** PLANNING BOARD REGULATIONS **************************
207 Zoning By-Law Cluster Guidelines.Follow-un to Meeting with the Development Community On Oct.
26, 1998: The Board discussed the meeting it held with local developers, design professionals, engineers and
attorneys on October 26. The purpose of the meeting was to continue the dialogue with the development
community and to solicit its reactions to the zoning by-law provisions and the Planning Board's cluster
subdivision guidelines so far Two developers who have submitted cluster plans made presentations on their
experience with it.
Mr. Colman noted that, according to some developers,the impervious surface figure is problematic. Mr Merrill
said that the public benefit may still be a deterrent to some developers. The issue of discretion and judgement is
an area that,one hopes,will develop a track record. He also said that he would like Mr.Bowyer to document his
own observations on the process and the feedback heard from the developers and tonight.
Mr. Bowyer commented that additional processes that speak to the citizen involvement may be useful. As it is,
the cluster process is rather more like a rezoning before the Town Meeting.There is more intensive neighborhood
participation than anticipated. The cluster process must be kept attractive to developers as an alternative to
conventional subdivisions.
On the other hand,Mr Galaitsis added, a cluster proposal may be approved any time during the calendar year,
a clear advantage over a rezoning that must go before Town Meeting.
************************ARTICLES FOR 1999 TOWN MEETING *************************
208. 1999 Annual Town Meeting.Possible Amendments to the Zoning By-Law. Mr Bowyer reported that in
addition to the list he distributed of amendments to the Zoning By-Law the Planning Board might sponsor,there
are a number of citizen sponsored article in the works.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:56 p.m.
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Steven L. Colman, Clerk