HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board minutes 01-23-1995 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MEETING OF JANUARY 23, 1995
The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board held in Room G-15, Town Office Building, was called to
order at 7.39 p.m. by Chairman Davison, with members Canale, Domnitz, Grant, Merrill, Planning Director
Bowyer, and Assistant Planner Marino present.
******************************* PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ********************************
12. Possible Historical Significance of Munroe Village Site: John Vinton, 11 Leonard Road, was present
and distributed a letter and other material dealing with the potential historical value of portions of the site.
A member of the Design Advisory Committee, though not representing them, he is part of a neighborhood
association applying for a grant from the Massachusetts Historical Society to do research into the historical
character of the Countryside area. Ideally, they would like to have action on the Munroe Village subdivision
delayed until the research is done. The Board responded that language in the decision dealing with the limit
of work line and the placement of houses that they would approve later in the evening contained conditions
that will protect a great deal of the site from disturbance.
**************************************** MINUTES **************************************
13 Review of Minutes: The Board reviewed and corrected the minutes for the meeting of January 9,
1995 On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Grant, it was voted unanimously to approve the
minutes, as amended.
*************************** PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT **************************
14 Recent Activity
a. Sunnvknoll Terrace: Mr. Bowyer reported that the Selectmen voted not to recommend to Town
Meeting that Sunnyknoll Terrace be laid out as a town road.
************ ADMINISTRATION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS *************
SUBDIVISION OF LAND
15 PUBLIC HEARING. Granger Pond Way Subdivision, Definitive Plan: Mrs. Davison opened the
hearing at 7:58 p.m. Present were Richard Waitt, engineer, of Meridian Engineering Collaborative, Gary
Larson, landscape architect, of Larson Associates, Inc., John and Patricia Austin, representing The
Windermere Group, the applicant, and Mr. Robert Sutherland, the owner of the property Mr. Larson
described the plans and highlighted the notable features of the Planned Residential Develop-
ment/Conventional Subdivision. He explained that this plan is similar to the plan presented at the prelimi-
nary plan stage with minor modifications made in response to the Board's comments regarding the
turnaround, the wetland boundaries, the amount of land area above the 100 year flood elevations, the siting
of the dwellings, and adjusting the lot line between lots #3 and 4 The proposed subdivision consists of 3
single family dwellings on individual lots. The applicant proposes to donate a fourth lot, Parcel A, to the
Town as open space.
There were comments and questions from the Planning Board regarding flowage rights over the land under
elevation 176; the restriction on signage on Parcel A, whether Butterfield's Pond is usable for recreation;
Minutes for the Meeting of January 23, 1995 2
whether Parcel A abuts other Town owned land; whether there would be a sign to identify the entrance to
the open space; and the topographic features of the site.
Therewereno questions or comments from the audience,
Mrs. Davison declared the hearing closed at 8:19 p.m.
16. Munroe Villaee Definitive Plan. Decision• The Board reviewed and revised a draft decision prepared by
the staff. On the motion of Mr Canale, seconded by Mr. Merrill, the Board voted unanimously, to:
1) approve the definitive subdivision plan, entitled "Munroe Village, Definitive Subdivision Plan in
Lexington, Massachusetts",dated September 1, 1994,
2) approve the certificate of action, dated January 23, 1995, as amended;
3) grant a special permit with site plan review (SPS) for a planned residential develop-
ment/conventional subdivision;
4) approve the decision, granting the special permit with site plan review (SPS), dated January 23,
1995, as amended.
17 915-917 Massachusetts Avenue. Sketch Plan. Decision: The Board reviewed a draft decision prepared
by the staff. On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Merrill, the Board voted unanimously, 5-0, to
approve the decision on the sketch plan as set forth in the draft decision dated January 23, 1995
18. Pheasant Brook IL Release of Surety Release of Covenant: The Board reviewed a draft motion
prepared by the staff. On the motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Merrill, the Board voted unanimously,
5-0, to:
1) release lots #1 and 10 from the provisions of the covenant dated February 6, 1990, and
2) release all the remaining surety held in passbook#7-2603, from the Haymarket Co-operative Bank
in Boston, in the amount of$62,000, plus interest, which was being held for the completion of the
community facilities at the Pheasant Brook II subdivision, and return it to Robert Cataldo/Sheldon
Corporation, and
3) release the developer, from the provisions of the covenant dated February 6, 1990, and
4) recommend that the streets in the Pheasant Brook II subdivision be accepted by a future Annual
Town Meeting.
19 258 East Street. Zee Street Subdivision, Name of Street: Zaroohy Seed, 258 East Street, the applicant,
was present to ask the Board to decide on the street name for her proposed subdivision. After some
discussion, on the motion of Mr. Merrill, seconded by Mr. Grant, the Board voted unanimously to approve
the name, "Fox Run Lane."
PLANS NOT REOUIRING APPROVAL UNDER THE SUBDIVISION CONTROL LAW
20. Form A/95-1. 51 Lowell Street. Mark Moore Homes: The Board reviewed an approval not required
plan submitted by Mark Moore Homes. Mr. Bowyer understands that the approved plan will be used to
obtain financing for a proposed subdivision project. He reported that Moore Homes has told him they are
working on a cluster subdivision plan for the property
On the motion of Mr. Grant, seconded by Mr. Merrill, the Board voted unanimously
to endorse the plan entitled "Subdivision Plan of Land in Lexington, Mass.", dated December 28, 1994,
prepared by Noonan & McDowell, Inc., Billerica, Mass., certified by Malcolm Parker McDowell,
Professional Land Surveyor, with Form A/95-1, submitted by Mark Moore Homes, as it does not
require approval under the Subdivision Control Law
3 Minutes for the meeting of January 23, 1995
********************** ARTICLES FOR 1995 TOWN MEETING ************************
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21 Article C. Recycling Store: The Board discussed the wording and intent of the proposed amendment to
the Zoning By-Law It agreed that the use should be allowed with a special permit rather than "by right"
because the Board of Appeals can address the problems of noise and visual impacts from a proposed
business. On the motion of Mr. Merrill, seconded by Mr. Canale, the Board voted 4-1, Mr. Domnitz
opposed, to approve the wording of the draft article, dated January 13, 1995, as revised, for inclusion in the
warrant for the 1995 Town Meeting.
22. Article D. Revised Setback Calculations: The Board continued their discussion of this proposed
amendment to the Zoning By-Law Several members observed that the article still needs more study Since
last year, little progress has been made toward defining a solution to the perceived problem of jumbo houses
on small lots. Mrs. Davison argued for going forward with the article. More discussion ensued and on the
motion of Mr. Canale, seconded by Mr. Domnitz, the Board voted 3-2, Mr. Grant and Mr. Merrill opposed,
to approve the wording of alternative B of the draft article, with a proposed 20' setback in place of the
current 15' requirement, dated December 21, 1994, as revised, for inclusion in the warrant for the 1995
Town Meeting.
The Board agreed the following members will be responsible to present the following articles at the public
hearing and at Town Meeting:
Article A, Frontage Reduction - Mr. Merrill
Article B, Satellite Dishes- Mr. Grant
Article C, Recycling Stores - Mrs. Davison
Article D, Revised Setback Calculations - Mr. Canale
****************** PLANNING BOARD ORGANIZATION, SCHEDULE *******************
23 February Meeting Schedule: The Board set meetings for February 13 and 27 Public hearings for the
proposed Town Meeting articles will be held on February 27 in Estabrook Hall.
************************************** REPORTS ***************************************
24 Report on Mixed-Income. Multi-Family Demographics: Mr. Bowyer distributed draft copies of a
Planning Department analysis of demographics at four mixed-income, multi-family rental developments in
Lexington. It can be discussed at the next meeting.
25 Planning Board. Subcommittees:
a. Cambridge Reservoir Watershed Advisory Committee: Mr. Domnitz reported that the next Cambridge
Reservoir Watershed Advisory Committee meeting will include an update on the new postal facility in
Waltham.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:56 p.m. ,,,
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Frederick L. Merrill, Jr., Clerk
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