HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 12-02-1998 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF DECEMBER 2, 1998
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in the Selectmen's Room Town Office Building,was called
to order at 7:37 p.m.by Chairman Merrill with members Colman,Davies, Galaitsis, Planning Director Bowyer,
and Assistant Planner Marino present. Ms. Bridge-Denzak was absent.
************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
PLANS NOT REOUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW
209 Form A/98-14.Town of Lexington: The Board reviewed an Approval Not Required Plan for land on Sedge
Road. On the motion of Mr.Colman, seconded by Mr.Davies,the Board voted unanimously to endorse the plan
entitled"Street Acceptance Plan, Sedge Road,Lexington,MA,"dated January 7, 1998, prepared by Roger M.
Corbin, Registered Land Surveyor, and the Town of Lexington Engineering Division, certified by Francis X.
Fields, Registered Civil Engineer,as it does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
210. Coppersmyth Way Cluster Subdivision. Definitive Plan. Chestnut Green. LLC: Decision: The Board
reviewed and revised draft decisions dated December 2, 1998. On the motion of Mr Colman, seconded by Mr
Galaitsis,the Board voted unanimously,4-0,to:
1 approve with conditions the definitive subdivision plan entitled " Coppersmyth Way, Lexington
Massachusetts",by Rizzo Associates,Inc., and Jordan Associates,dated October 6, 1998;
2. approve the wording of the draft Certificate of Action dated December 2, 1998.
On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr Colman,the Board voted unanimously to:
1. grant a special permit with site plan review (SPS) for a planned residential development/cluster
subdivision and special permit;
2. approve the decision, granting the special permit with site plan review(SPS)and special permit,dated
December 2, 1998.
Mr. Galaitsis said he wants it publicly noted that it is not clear to him that the impact on the site will be as low
as thought.
211 Porter Lane.Defmitive Conventional Subdivision Plan.The Windermere Groun:Decision on Subdivision
Only The Board reviewed a draft decision,dated December 2, 1998. On the motion of Mr. Colman, seconded
by Mr Galaitsis,the Board voted unanimously,4-0,to:
1 approve with conditions the definitive subdivision plan, entitled "Porter Lane, Definitive Subdivision
Plan, Lexington,Massachusetts", dated August 31, 1998; and
2. approve the wording of the draft certificate of action, dated December 2, 1998.
There are some revisions that need to be made before the special permit with site plan review can be approved.
That will be taken up at a future meeting.
212. 112 Laconia Street. Sketch Conventional Subdivision Plan. Tanner/Nahigian, Presentation by the
Applicant: Present for this item were Lisa Tanner,applicant,Ronald Wood, landscape architect,of Guidelines,
Inc.,and Frederick Russell, engineer Mr Wood presented a sketch plan for a two-lot conventional subdivision
on land at 112 Laconia Street that shows two new dwellings on a new hammerhead cul de sac.
The Board expressed concern about the amount of paving the plan calls for.They pointed out that 20 feet of street
width is required for a two-lot subdivision,not the 24 foot width shown. They also expressed a desire to lessen
the length of the hammerhead turnaround.Mr. Bowyer suggested that there is a potential for more flexibility in
its design if the applicants explored a cluster subdivision. They could have a cluster subdivision with three
dwelling units. That did not require three buildings. There was precedent for a cluster subdivision with two
buildings, one of which contained an accessory apartment. It still maintained the appearance of a one-family
house.
2 Minutes for the Meeting of December 2, 1998
The Planning Board asked the applicant to consider submitting a cluster subdivision plan for the site; or,
alternatively, to discuss with the staff the options to improve the plan within the conventional subdivision
regulations.
**************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT ***************************
213 Mansionization Legislation sponsored by Representative Jav Kaufman: Mr. Bowyer reported on a
conversation he had with Catherine Abbott,Representative Jay Kaufman's legislative assistant, on legislation,
drafted by Mr.Bowyer,and submitted by Rep.Kaufman,having to do with the control of the size of one-family
houses and exemptions for pre-recorded lots. Mr Bowyer suggested that Rep.Kaufman show that the Planning
Board as the sponsor of the bill.After some discussion,on the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr. Galaitsis,
the Board voted unanimously
That the Planning Board agrees to being identified as the sponsor of a bill to amend Chapter 40A,the
Zoning Act,to be filed by Representative Jay Kaufman for consideration during the 1999 Session of the
Massachusetts Legislature. The proposed amendment to Chapter 40A will have the effect of authorizing
cities and towns to adopt a floor area ratio to control the size of one family houses and to reduce the
exemption Chapter 40A now affords from regular dimensional controls for pre-recorded lots.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
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Steven L. Colman, Clerk