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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 01-09-1995 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES MEETING OF JANUARY 9, 1995 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7.35 p.m. by Chairman Davison, with members Canale, Domnitz, Grant, Merrill, Planning Director Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Marino present. ******************************* PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ****************************** 1 Proposed Automobile Repair Shon at 10 Woburn Street: Patric Barbieri has petitioned the Board of Appeals for a special permit to operate an automobile repair shop at 10 Woburn Street. Theodore Page, 6 Fletcher Avenue, one of a group of people from the neighborhood who were there, voiced his concern and that of his neighbors about having an automobile repair shop at the corner of Fletcher Avenue and Woburn Street. Mr. Canale responded by saying that current zoning allows an automotive repair service in that location. He said that Mr. Barbieri has applied for variances dealing with the landscaping transition area requirement and the amount of parking and maneuvering room to be allowed. The Planning Board reviewed his petitions in December 1994 and recommended that the Board of Appeals deny the variances. The Planning Board has no further role in the process. It was suggested by some of those present that the town should either rezone the land or buy it. Mrs. Davison suggested that the neighbors write to the Board of Selectmen about their concerns. ************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* SUBDIVISION OF LAND 2. PUBLIC HEARING. Munroe Village Subdivision. Sheldon Corporation: Mrs. Davison opened the hearing at 7:51 p.m. Sixteen people were in the audience. Present were Sam Sleiman, engineer, Bill Brown, landscape architect, of The SWA Group, and Frederick DeAngelis, attorney, representing the Sheldon Corporation. Mr. Sleiman described the plans for the proposed subdivision. Three waivers from the regulations are requested. There were questions from the Board regarding the easement to Gold Star Nursery, the landscaping, the slope of the road and storm water runoff. Shirley Duggan, 123 Woburn Street, raised points of concern to the neighbors of the site including increased water that might raise the water table, a potentially dangerous traffic pattern, and placement of a utility pole. Andrew Cupp, 171 Woburn Street, voiced concern about the safety of a new street intersection at that location. Other residents also expressed their belief that the traffic danger would be greatly increased. Mrs. Davison urged them to write to the Selectmen about these concerns. The public hearing was closed at 9:01 p.m. The staff was asked to prepare a draft decision for the Board to review at their next meeting. 3 915-917 Mass. Avenue. Sketch Plan. Estate of June Allyn: Present were Alan Sreter, attorney for the applicant, Philip Saunders, Jr. Trustee for the Estate, and Malcolm McDowell, land surveyor; representing the owner, Ronald Laing. Mr. Sreter explained the subdivision plan. Waivers from the Development Regulations' requirement for a full turnaround and a sidewalk are requested. Minutes for the Meeting of January 9, 1995 2 The Board made comments and asked questions about access to the bike path, plans for parking and stressed the importance of a creative approach to an alternate design for the right of way It would like to see a proposal to restore the @1850 two-family house at the front of the property Staff was asked to prepare a draft decision for them to review at their next meeting. 4 110 Grove Street. Debra Carv's Request for Assistance: Debra Cary, 110 Grove Street, was present to ask the Board's help in preparing a definitive subdivision plan for her property A preliminary subdivision plan was previously approved by the Board. She wants to be sure to file a plan that preserves the integrity of her neighborhood and that will be approved by the Board. She said that her finances are being stretched too far. Mr. Merrill pointed out that the Board's proposed zoning amendment addressing frontage requirements for lots in subdivisions with not more than two lots was formulated in response to Mrs. Cary's situation. If approved by Town Meeting in the spring, it would enable Mrs. Cary to build a cluster subdivision without building a street. Mrs. Cary agreed to wait until after Town Meeting to proceed with her plans. The Board asked the staff to notify her when the public hearing for this amendment is scheduled. **************************************** MINUTES ************************************** 5 Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of December 12, 1994 On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Grant, it was voted unanimously 4-0-1 to approve the minutes, as amended. Mr. Merrill abstained as he was not at that meeting. ************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ************* RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS 6. Applications To Be Heard on January 12, 1995 Mrs. Davisong ave an oral review of the following applications: 1 9 Fuller Road, Richard and Judith Howe, variance for an addition to a dwelling. The Planning Board agreed to recommend denial of the petition. It believes the applicants have not adequately demonstrated that they meet the statutory criteria for granting a variance, i.e., that they would suffer substantial hardship, financial or otherwise, owing to circumstances relating to the soil conditions, shape or topography of the land or structures if a variance from the provisions of the Zoning By-Law is not granted. Mrs. Davison added that the planned addition increases the nonconformity of the building and the result will be a house whose bulk and mass are not in scale with the rest of the neighborhood. The Board had no comment on the applications listed below, also scheduled on January 12. 71 North Hancock Street. special permit to add dormers to a dwelling 273 Emerson Road, Olga Guttag, special permit to build a tennis court 10 and 16 Bennington Road, special permit to allow driveway at 10 Bennington Road to serve as a common driveway to 10 and 16 140 Emerson Gardens Road, East Village Nursing Center, special permit for a sign j 12 Stedman Road, variance for an addition to a dwelling 3 Minutes for the meeting of January 9, 1995 *************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT ************************** iI 7 Recent Activity LEXHAB, Local Initiative Comprehensive Permit on Grandview Avenue: Mr. Bowyer reported that LEXHAB recently held an information meeting for abutters about their proposed affordable housing plans for property on Grandview Avenue. A joint nine-lot development with a private developer was being considered. Since that meeting, Marshall Derby, Chairman of LEXHAB, has said that the project as conceptualized before the meeting will not go forward. LEXHAB will now concentrate on a plan to build one house on the lot nearest Welch Street. ************************* PLANNING BOARD REGULATIONS ************************** 8. Revision of Development Regulations: The Board reviewed a draft motion, prepared by the staff, to revise Subsection 2.5 4 7, Fee Schedule of the Development Regulations. On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Grant, the Board voted 4-0-1, Mr. Merrill abstaining, to approve the motion, as written. ************************ ARTICLES FOR 1995 TOWN MEETING ************************ 9 Report on Warrant Articles Submitted: Sunny Knoll Terrace: Mr. Bowyer informed the Board that the Selectmen are preparing to respond to a petition by residents of Sunnyknoll Terrace to have the street laid out and accepted as a public way A public hearing will be scheduled, which is one of the procedural steps in the process. The Planning Board is required to give an advisory opinion in such cases. The staff will notify the Board of the hearing date. ************************************** REPORTS *************************************** 10. Annual Report. Review of Revised Draft Report: The Board reviewed the final draft of the 1994 Annual Report. After some discussion, on the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Merrill, the Board voted unanimously to approve the annual report, as amended. 11 Planning Board. Subcommittees Cambridge Reservoir Watershed Committee: Mr. Domnitz reported that a survey of winter road salt use by towns in the watershed had been done recently by an consulting firm. The amount of salt used has decreased for all towns except Lexington in the time period studied. The meeting was adjourned at 11 13 p.m. I \ '' :'"()2d6ta-X Frederick L. Merrill, Jr., Clerk Ll